JPH0462962B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a mechanism for moving a container from an upright position to an ejection position. More particularly, the present invention relates to a garbage truck that lifts a container from an upright position on one side of the vehicle to a reversing position on the opposite side of the vehicle for discharging the contents of the container into a garbage receiving chamber of the vehicle. Regarding the mechanism attached to.

Previous mechanisms for lifting containers onto garbage trucks are disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 3773197. Such conventional mechanisms have relatively complex structures and require a relatively long time to operate through the evacuation cycle.

That is, in all of the above conventional mechanisms, the arm that grips the container is extended toward the container,
In order to separately perform the operations of lifting the container, retracting the arm, and discharging the contents of the container into the garbage receiving chamber of the vehicle, a complex moving mechanism, a number of actuating cylinders or mechanical actuating means, and a control mechanism are required. I need.

Also, because each of the above operations is performed separately, a relatively long operating time is required throughout the evacuation cycle.

Moreover, since the container gripping arms are located on either side of the hopper or opening of the garbage receiving chamber of the vehicle, they occupy a relatively large amount of longitudinal space behind the cab of the garbage truck.

The present invention has been made to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art, and for this purpose, a container moving mechanism according to the present invention includes a support frame assembly means, a lift arm, and the lift arm is supported on the frame assembly means. a lift arm support means pivotally connected between the frame assembly means and the lift arm; container grip means mounted on one end of the lift arm for movement between a container grip position and a container release position; a guide means pivotally connected at one end to the frame assembly and adapted to engage the lift arm portion movably along the length of the guide means to guide movement of the lift arm; a first power means supported from the frame assembly and pivotally connected to the lift arm for positioning the lift arm for gripping a container in an upright position and for reversing the container for evacuation of the contents; a first power means adapted to move the guide means to and from the frame assembly; and a second power means supported on the frame assembly and pivotally connected to the guide means. second power means for moving the grip means mounting end of the lift arm engaged with the guide means substantially horizontally along the surface on which the container stands upright by pivoting the lift arm against the guide means; ing.

In the present invention, all the mechanisms necessary to grip and empty the container are supported by a single support frame assembly means, so that the moving mechanism can be mounted behind the cab of the garbage truck. It can be provided in a relatively small longitudinal space.

Furthermore, in the present invention, the number of power means for moving the container grip means between the container gripping position and the ejection position is small, and synchronized operation between the power means can be easily achieved. can move quickly and smoothly between the pumps and, therefore, operate through the evacuation cycle in a relatively short time compared to conventional mechanisms.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, the mechanism of the present invention is relatively simple in construction because the movement mechanism includes a single support assembly means, low power means, and a combination of relatively few simple parts. be.
Other objects and advantages of the arrangement according to the invention will become apparent from the detailed description below.

The evacuation mechanism of the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 and is diagrammatically indicated by a dotted box in FIG. In one embodiment of the invention,
The ejection mechanism 10 is mounted to a vehicle 12 adjacent to and directly behind the vehicle's cab 14, as shown in FIG. The vehicle 12 is equipped with a storage chamber 15 of suitable design for receiving the waste discharged from the container 62 by the discharge mechanism 10. The garbage discharged into the storage chamber 15 is periodically transported into the main body 16 of the vehicle 12 by an appropriate mechanism (not shown). Although the ejection mechanism of the present invention is specifically designed for ejecting trash into garbage trucks, it can be used in other useful applications.

2-8, the evacuation mechanism of the present invention includes a frame assembly (or support assembly means) 18, a lift arm 20, a track cylinder (or second power means) 22, a lift cylinder (or first power means) 22, a lift cylinder (or first means) 24,
Link member (or lift arm support means) 2
6, and the basic parts of a guide track assembly (or guide means) 28.

The frame assembly 18 has vertically extending legs 30 and substantially horizontal legs 32 extending from the outer legs 30.
and a downwardly angled portion 34 at the end of the leg 32.
It is equipped with Frame assembly 18 also connects the frame assembly to chassis 3 of vehicle 12.
Base member 3 that extends horizontally to be installed on 8.
Contains 6. The means for attaching frame assembly 18 to chassis 38 may be in any suitable manner, such as by welding.

Lift arm 20 is supported from horizontal leg 32 of frame assembly 18 by link member 26;
The link member 26 has an upper end pivotally connected to the frame by a pin 40, and a lower end pivotally connected to the lift arm 20 by a pin 42.

Lift arm 20 is guided by track assembly 28 during its evacuation cycle. The track assembly 28 includes a track member 44 in the form of a slotted box beam and a bracket 46 provided at the upper end of the track member 44 for pivotally attaching the track assembly to the leg 34 of the frame 18 by a pin 48. including. Roller member 50
is rotatably mounted on the lift arm 20 and includes a track member 4 as best shown in FIG.
It is positioned so that it can move up and down within 4.

The lift cylinder 24 has its lower end pivotally connected to the end of the lift member 20 by a pin 52, and its upper end pivotally connected to the horizontal leg 32 of the frame 18 by a pin 54.

Track cylinder 22 is pivotally connected at one end to leg 30 of frame assembly 18 by pin 56 and to track assembly 28 by pin 58 at the other end.

The ejection mechanism includes a container gripping mechanism or means 60 for gripping and releasing the container 62. The grip mechanism 60 (see FIG. 1) includes a pair of container grip arms 64, 6 pivotally mounted on a support arm 65.
4, while the support arm 65 is fixed to the end of the lift arm 20. The arm 64 is moved in an arc by a grip cylinder 66 between an open position (dotted line) and a container grip position (solid line). The cylinder 66 is directly connected to one arm 64, and the movement of the arm is transmitted to the other arm 64 by a pair of head gears 67. The specific structure and operation of grip mechanism 60 do not form part of the present invention and will not be described in detail below. Another example of a grip mechanism for grasping and opening a trash container is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,227,849.

The trash container 62 can be of any suitable design. Container 62 shown in the drawing
includes a trash container body 68 and a cover member 70 pivotally attached to the top of the body. The body portion 68 has a downwardly directed lower end 72 to be engaged by the arm when the arm is moved into gripping engagement with the container 62. The particular construction of container 62 does not form part of the present invention and will therefore not be described in detail below.

The operation of the evacuation mechanism 10 will be explained in connection with the simple hydraulic control circuit shown in FIG. However, the evacuation mechanism 10 can also be controlled by hydraulic circuits other than the circuit shown in FIG.
The circuit of FIG. 9 is merely an example of a circuit capable of effectively operating the evacuation mechanism 10. In a preferred embodiment, the control valves 74, 82 and 86 shown in FIG. 9 are located outside cab 14 of vehicle 12 with a remote actuation system (not shown) positioned within the cab. This eliminates the need for the operator to go outside the cab to operate the ejection mechanism 10.

If there is a discharge mechanism in the state shown in Figure 2,
The garbage truck 12 attaches the grip mechanism 60 to the container 6.
2 and is stopped facing the container 62.

In the first step, the operator activates valve 74 by pressing downward on the valve handle. This causes pressurized fluid from pump 76 to flow through conduits 78, 80, 114, 88 to port P of valve 74. Fluid passes from port P to port B through valve 74 and then to conduit 9.
The signal returns 0 and flows to the track cylinder 22. This causes the track cylinder 22 to move the grip mechanism 60 into position in close proximity to the container 62.
Stretch. Exhaust fluid from cylinder 22 flows through conduit 92 to port A of valve 74 and then through valve 74 from port A to port T.
and further flows through conduits 96, 98 and 100 to oil tank 94.

The next step is to close grip arm 64. This is done by pulling back the valve handle to activate valve 82. This transports fluid under pressure from pump 76 to conduit 7.
8, 80, 114, and 122 are returned to flow into port P of valve 82. Fluid flow flows from port P to port A and then through conduit 104 to the rod end of grip cylinder 66. This causes the grip cylinder 66 to be retracted to close the grip arm 64 around the container 62. Exhaust fluid from cylinder 66 is routed through conduit 102
through to port B of valve 82 and then back through valve 82 from port B to port T and through conduits 106, 98 and 100 to oil tank 94.

The next step is to move the ejection mechanism through the ejection portion of the ejection cycle. This is accomplished by the operator actuating valve 86 by pulling back on its valve handle. This causes fluid from pump 76 to flow through conduits 78, 80, 114, 116 to port P of valve 86. Fluid flows from port P to port B of valve 86 and then through conduit 108 to lift cylinder 24 . This extends the lift cylinder 24 and operates the ejection mechanism 10 through the ejection portion of the ejection cycle as shown in FIGS. 4-8. Exhaust fluid from cylinder 24 is routed through conduit 110
through valve 86 to port A, then through valve 86 from port A to port T, and then through conduits 112, 98, and 100 to tank 94. When the mechanism 10 reaches the position shown in FIG. 8, the cover 70 of the container 62 is opened and the dirt inside is discharged into the dirt storage chamber 15.

The handle of valve 86 is pushed forward to return the container. This causes fluid to flow from pump 76 through conduits 78, 80, 114, and 116 to port P of valve 86. Fluid flows from port P of valve 86 to port A and then to conduit 11
0 to the rod end of cylinder 24.
This retracts the cylinder 24, moving the ejection mechanism 10 from its ejection position (FIG. 8) to its lower position (FIG. 4).

Once the evacuation mechanism 10 reaches the final position of its downward movement (preferably at least 12 inches of downward movement), the selection valve 11 in the conduit 110
8 is acted upon. This allows fluid flowing into cylinder 24 to be diverted through conduit 120 to tank 94. This is the ejection mechanism 10 and the container 62
causes the final travel of approximately 24 inches to float, thereby preventing the container from falling to the ground with a thud. Valve 118 (shown only in Figure 9) is actuated automatically by a suitable device, for example by a suitable part of the ejection mechanism when the ejection mechanism reaches the last part of its downward travel. This is done by mechanical contact, which is made by touching the

The next step is to open grip arm 64 to release container 62 from the ejection mechanism. This is done by actuating valve 82 by pushing the valve handle forward. This means that pressurized fluid flows from pump 76 to conduit 78,
80, 114, 122 to port P of valve 82. Fluid flows from port P to port B
and then through conduit 102 to cylinder 6
It flows to 6. As a result, the grip cylinder 66
is extended to release grip arm 64 and thereby release container 62. cylinder 6
The exhaust fluid from 6 passes through conduit 104 to valve 8.
2 to port A, then through valve 82, from port A to port T, and further through conduit 106,
Flows to tank 94 through 98 and 100.

The final step in the evacuation cycle is to return grip mechanism 60 to its initial position shown in FIG. This is done by actuating valve 74 by pulling back on the valve handle. This directs pressure fluid from pump 76 to conduit 7
8, 80, 114, and 88 to port P of valve 74. Fluid flows from port P to port A through valve 74 and then through conduit 92 to track cylinder 22. This causes cylinder 22 to retract to the position shown in FIG.
Exhaust fluid from the truck cylinder 22 flows to port B of valve 74 and then through valve 74 from port B to port T and through conduit 96,
It flows to tank 94 through 98 and 100.

The operator can move the vehicle to the next container and repeat the action of the grip mechanism 10 described above.

The operation of the ejection mechanism 10 assumes the initial state shown in FIG. 2, ie, the operator positions the vehicle such that the grip mechanism 60 is spaced from the container 62. In such a situation, it is necessary to first extend the track cylinder 22 until the grip mechanism 60 is moved into position adjacent the container 62. Truck cylinder 2
The distance that 2 must be extended depends, of course, on how close the operator wants the vehicle 12 to be with respect to the container 62.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 show the track cylinder fully extended (approximately 36 mm in the preferred embodiment).
inches). Figure 5 shows track cylinder 2
2 is shown partially extended, and FIG. 4 shows the operator bringing the vehicle's gripper mechanism 60 close enough to the container 62 that no extension of the track cylinder is necessary. Experienced operators are often able to position the vehicle as shown in Figure 4, thus eliminating the need for track cylinder action at the beginning and end of the evacuation cycle. This is the preferred method of operation as it reduces the overall operating time.

One of the important advantages of the ejection mechanism of the present invention is that it achieves a substantially uniform ejection motion whether the track cylinder is fully extended, partially extended, or not extended at all. It is something that can be done. In other words, the ejection mechanism 10 moves the container 62 to substantially the same ejection position (FIG. 8) with respect to the vehicle regardless of the degree to which the track cylinder is extended. Similarly, the emptied container 62 is lowered onto the ground at the same location from which it was lifted.

From the above, the evacuation mechanism of the present invention can operate over its ejection cycle in a relatively short time compared to conventional mechanisms, and the entire operation can be performed by one person in the cab of the vehicle. It will be seen that this is achieved by the operator. The mechanism according to the invention is also of relatively simple construction and occupies relatively little longitudinal space behind the cab of the vehicle.

Also, the overlapping parts of the structure of the present invention are comprised of link members, unlike slide members. This simplifies the piping arrangement for the hydraulic cylinder and requires flexibility for bending only at the joints of the links.

The lift mechanism also acts to cause most containers to produce a tipping motion at the top of the arc of ejection motion. Furthermore, the mechanism of the present invention is designed such that the benefit of mechanical lifting is substantially constant throughout the ejection cycle, i.e., if the container is first lifted off the ground, the remainder of the ejection cycle is completed. Designed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a garbage truck made according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2 to 8 and equipped with a container ejection mechanism (shown diagrammatically);
The figure is a vertical sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2, and FIGS. 2 is a series of partial diagrams similar to FIG. 2 showing various positions as the ejection mechanism moves through its ejection cycle;
FIG. 9 is a partial diagram of the hydraulic control circuit for the ejection mechanism.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A mechanism for moving a container from an upright position to a discharge position, comprising: (a) support frame assembly means; (b) a lift arm; and (c) said lift arm connected to said frame assembly. (d) lift arm support means pivotally connected between said frame assembly means and a lift arm for supporting said lift arm; (d) lift arm support means mounted on one end of said lift arm for movement between a container grip position and a container release position; (e) pivotally connected at one end to the frame assembly and movably engaging the lift arm portion along the length of the guide means to direct movement of the lift arm; (f) first power means supported from said frame assembly and pivotally connected to said lift arm for gripping a container in an upright position; (g) supported on said frame assembly and pivotally connected to said guide means; and a second power means for pivoting the guide means relative to the frame assembly to cause the grip means mounting end of the lift arm engaged with the guide means to rest against the surface on which the container stands. and second power means for substantially horizontal movement along the container. 2. said first power means being pivotally connected at one end to said frame assembly means and at the other end being pivotally connected to said lift arm at an end opposite to the end to which said grip means is attached; Mechanism in Section 1. 3. The mechanism according to item 2, wherein the guide means engages the lift arm at a midpoint between both ends thereof. 4. The lift arm support means comprises a link member, one end of which is pivotally connected to the frame assembly means, and the other end of which is pivotally connected to the lift arm at a position spaced apart in the longitudinal direction from the engagement position of the guide means. The mechanism in Section 3. 5. The mechanism of claim 4, wherein said guide means is in the form of a track member adapted to engage a roller mounted on said lift arm.