WO1999007625A1

WO1999007625A1 - Refuse collection vehicle and method for the collection of waste

Info

Publication number: WO1999007625A1
Application number: PCT/DK1998/000332
Authority: WO
Inventors: Asger Roed Jensen
Original assignee: Asger Roed Jensen
Priority date: 1997-07-21
Filing date: 1998-07-15
Publication date: 1999-02-18
Also published as: AU8434098A; DK88397A; DK173433B1

Abstract

A method for the collection of waste and a refuse collection vehicle (1) for the collection of waste comprises a removable container (2) and a rear section (3) at the end surface of the container and being displaceable rearwards in relation to the container (2), said rear section (3) comprising means for displacement and being mounted at the end opposite to that of the driver's cabin (35), said rear section (3) also comprising a compressor for the compression of refuse. Lifting arms (13) are preferably mounted at the front and rear ends of the container (2) for sideways removal of the container, said lifting arms (13) constituting an integrated part of the refuse collection vehicle (1), and that the compressor is an inclined worm conveyor (50) arranged in a part-cylinder (58), the free and highest-lying end area of said worm conveyor (50) lying in the rearmost end of the container when the rear section (3) is in place for the compression of refuse. There is hereby achieved an expedient collection of the waste, in that the filled containers can simply and easily be removed sideways from the refuse collection vehicle. At the same time, an optimum compression of the waste is achieved.

Description

REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR THE COLLECTION OF WASTE

The invention concerns a refuse collection vehicle for the collection of waste, comprising a removable container and a rear section at the end surface of the container and displaceable rearwards in relation to the container, said rear section comprising means for displacement and being mounted at the end opposite to that of the driver's cabin, said rear section also comprising a compressor for the compression of refuse. The inven- tion also concerns a method for the collection of waste.

From German Patent publication no. 2,817,599, a refuse collection vehicle for the transport of removable containers is known, and which is suitable exclusively for the placing of containers in places arranged for this purpose, either manually or mechanically. Furthermore, the actual emptying of the containers requires a refuse collection vehicle which is specially designed to receive the waste from the containers.

From German Patent publication no. 2,407,615, a refuse collection vehicle for the collection of waste is known, and which is equipped with a container and a rear section in which the waste is placed before being transferred to the container. However, the system suffers the disadvantage that the rear section is hinged at the top, which means that this must be lifted upwards for the removal of the container, which constitutes a space- and resource-demanding manoeuvre. Moreover, the refuse collection vehicle does not comprise independent lifting means, which means that it is necessary to use an external lifting arrangement for the removal of the container. This is heavy and inexpedient and resource-demanding. Moreover, the hingeing of the rear part precludes the use of lifting ar- rangements as an integrated part of the vehicle.

From EP-A-364,935 there is known a refuse collection vehicle equipped with a container and rear section. The rear section is attached at the bottom to the frame of the vehicle. The rear section is of such thin configura- tion that it is possible, after the rear part has been tipped down into the horizontal position, to drive the vehicle away from the filled container placed on the support part. The thickness of the rear section is thus determined by the height of the wheels, which means that the rear section cannot be as thick as desired. One result of this is that the filling of the container with waste takes place relatively slowly due to the small cham- ber.

From German Patent publication no. 43,31 ,750 there is known a refuse collection vehicle with a container and a rear section. The rear section comprises a compressor in the form of two plates which push the waste from the rear section over into the container. The container can be removed from the vehicle by lowering the rear section and dividing it into two parts, each of which is moved to the side, after which the container is slid backwards and down by means of external lifting arrangements. Hereafter, a new container is placed on the bed of the vehicle, similarly with the use of external lifting arrangements.

The disadvantage with this system is firstly that it does not comprise independent lifting arrangements, which means that in the removal of the container it is necessary to use an external lifting arrangement. Secondly, it requires a great deal of space, in that the space requirements for removal are the length of the vehicle plus the length of the container and the breadth of the vehicle, to which must be added the breadth of the rear section, which as mentioned is divided out to the sides, plus further space for the lifting arrangement.

Thirdly, the dividing of the rear section in order for it to be possible to remove the container makes it necessary for the rear section to comprise two compressors, each of which is equipped with movable parts, which means that the construction is heavy and very complicated, in that it is necessary to duplicate all of the parts associated with the compressors.

Finally, as a consequence of this rear section construction, it is impossible to place lifting arrangements as an integrated part of the vehicle. Moreover, the compressors will give rise to the risk that the waste will fall out of the container during the processing of the waste by the compressors. The compression abilities and construction of the compressors are thus insufficient. It is the object of the invention to provide a refuse collection vehicle which is not encumbered with the disadvantages of the known systems, and which also enables the waste to be handled in a more expedient manner, in that the waste can be emptied directly up into the vehicle's rear section and further to the container, after which the filled containers can simply and easily be removed sideways from the vehicle with the integrated lifting arms and placed wherever desired without the use of external lifting arrangements, or can be emptied sideways directly into a collection con- tainer. It is precisely this sideways movement of the filled container that is a great advantage, in that this makes a more flexible emptying of the container possible, and in that the refuse collection vehicle has access to places which are normally inaccessible to the known vehicles.

Furthermore, the construction makes it possible for larger refuse collection vehicles to effect a subsequent emptying of the filled containers into the large collection containers. The collection of waste is hereby rationalised, in that the flexible refuse collection vehicles according to the invention replace the otherwise known, large and heavy refuse collection vehicles which drive around with half-filled containers for a further collection of waste.

The object is achieved with a refuse collection vehicle of the kind disclosed in the introduction, and also where lifting arms are preferably mounted at the front and rear ends of the container for sideways removal of the container, said lifting arms constituting an integrated part of the refuse collection vehicle, and where the compressor is an inclined worm conveyor arranged in a part-cylinder, the free and highest-lying end area of said worm conveyor lying in the rearmost end of the container when the rear section is in place for the compression of refuse.

The waste is loaded into the rear section, from which it is compressed over into the container itself. When this is full, the rear section with compressor is pushed backwards, and the lifting arms enable the container to be lifted sideways for emptying or placing down, after which an empty container is mounted on the bed of the vehicle. By configuring the refuse collection vehicle according to the invention as disclosed in claim 2, it is achieved that the rear section can easily be pushed backwards to make room for the function of the lifting arm.

By configuring the refuse collection vehicle according to the invention as disclosed in claim 3, a simple manner of dismounting the container is achieved.

By configuring the refuse collection vehicle according to the invention as disclosed in claim 4, a secure and adjustable grip around the container is made possible during its movement, in that the gripping claws grip around bosses provided on the container for this purpose.

By configuring the refuse collection vehicle according to the invention as disclosed in claims 5 and 6, it is achieved that the lifting arms can start to function as soon as the rear section is pushed backwards, in that the moving of the rear section not only creates space for this function, but also results in the container now being removable.

By configuring the refuse collection vehicle according to the invention as disclosed in claim 7, it is possible to effect a continuous weighing of the waste introduced.

By configuring the refuse collection vehicle according to the invention and as further disclosed in claim 8, it is achieved that the risk of the waste falling out when the rear section is pushed backwards is minimized.

By configuring the refuse collection vehicle according to the invention as disclosed in claims 9 and 10, it is achieved that upon use of a lifting arrangement's projecting part, which influences the pressure plate in the recess, an activation of the lock is effected via the connection elements, and the cover can thus be opened at the same time that the recess provides a stable grip for the function of the lifting arrangement.

The invention also concerns a method for the collection of waste and the like in containers by means of refuse collection vehicles and as disclosed in claims 11-13.

This satellite collection principle results in less wear on the roads, in that the small refuse collection vehicles carry out the collection of waste and deposit this in smaller depots, after which the large, ordinary refuse collection vehicles, after having carried out the collection, transport the waste to the incineration plants or authorised refuse dumps. Moreover, a flexible, quick and effective collection and a saving of energy is achieved. The satellite refuse depots do not require prior approval by the authorities for the collection for the incineration plant, whereas the incineration plants themselves require approval and are also situated at great distances between them.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawing, where

figs. 1 and 2 show a side view of a refuse collection vehicle with rear section in the pushed-back position and in the function position respectively, partly in section,

figs.3A-3C show views of the refuse collection vehicle seen from the rear, where the rear section is removed for the sake of clarity, and from which the function of the lifting arms and the gripping claws will be seen,

fig. 4 shows a close-up view of lifting arm and claw,

fig. 5 shows a side view of a refuse collection vehicle with rear section in the function position,

fig. 6 shows a side view of the refuse collection vehicle with rear section tipped down, and where the container is thus no longer locked to the refuse collection vehicle,

figs.7A-7C show the cover on the container with the lock mechanism in section and the positioning of the recesses,

figs.8A-8B show a close-up view of the container's lock mechanism, and

figs.9A-9I show the function of the refuse collection vehicle in co-operation with a collection vehicle, and thus illustrate the satellite collection method.

In figs. 1 and 2 a refuse collection vehicle 1 is shown with a container 2 mounted on the bed/chassis and with a driver's cabin 35 foremost, and at the opposite end is seen the rear section 3 mounted on the refuse collection vehicle 1 in a displaceable manner. In the figures, the rear section is seen both in the pushed-back position and in the function position. For the sake of clarity, the lifting arms 13 for the removal of the container are not shown. The rear part 3 is shown in section, whereby the elements in the rear section can be seen. In the rear section 3 there is arranged a worm conveyor 50 which is rotatable, said rotation being brought about by means of a motor 51 which drives the worm shaft. The worm conveyor is otherwise configured following known principles and thus comprises a shaft with spiral windings. The worm conveyor is preferably placed in the lower part of the rear section 3, and is arranged in an inclined manner to form an angle of 5-25° in relation to the horizontal position.

The worm conveyor is placed in a cylindrical casing 58 which is open at the top 59 so that waste can pass down to the worm conveyor. The cylindrical casing is also open at the innermost end 55. When the rear section 3 is in its function position, i.e. when the whole of the rear section lies up against the container 2, the worm conveyor's innermost end 55 will extend through an opening 7 in the one end of the container 2. This end of the worm conveyor lies higher than the opposite end of the worm conveyor. The opening in the container is of a dimension which corresponds approximately to the dimension of the cross-sectional area of the worm conveyor 50, though oval-formed in the vertical direction so that passage of the inclined worm conveyor is made possible. It is hereby achieved that only a minimum amount of waste falls out when the rear section is pushed backwards.

The worm conveyor 50 and the remaining construction related herewith ensures a continuous compression and transfer of the waste from the rear section to the container, and that the opening, which is required in the container to accommodate the end area of the worm conveyor, becomes as small as possible.

The mechanism for moving the rear section 3 comprises a slide-guide 52, this being mounted inside an auxiliary frame 53 disposed over or under the chassis-frame of the vehicle, said slide-guide 52 being fastened to the lower part of the rear section 3. The slide-guide is activated by means of a hydraulic mechanism 54 which is mounted respectively on the rear sec- tion 3 and the refuse collection vehicle 1 , preferably on the frame of the vehicle. The mechanism has a stroke length in the order of approx. 500 mm. This slide-guide, which thus comprises preferably rectangular profiles with attachment in the inside of the vehicle's rectangular auxiliary frame 53, gives rise to a positive and secure movement of the rear section and ensures that the worm conveyor 50 moves positively into the recess/opening 7 which is provided in the rear end of the container.

Fig. 2 shows how the worm conveyor 50 forms a tightening closure against the filling opening 7 of the container 2.

When the container 2 is filled with waste, the container must first be loosened from the refuse collection vehicle 1 and then lifted off. Figs. 5 and 6 show the release of the container from the refuse collection vehicle. The top of the rear section 3 is fastened to the container by means of a mechanically releasable locking arrangement 20 which consists of a hook

21 , which is attached to the rear section 3, and a hook-receiving part 22 provided on the container, for example in the form of a notch in which the hook passes down. As soon as the hook 21 has been raised, the whole of the rear section can be displaced. The hook is activated by means of a hydraulic mechanism 57. The actual displacement of the rear section 3 is effected by means of a hydraulic cylinder connection 54 and, when this is activated, the rear section 3 is moved as discussed earlier. The drawbar 25 is connected at the one end to a lock 26 which engages in a recess arranged for this purpose in the container 2. When the rear section is displaced as a result of the movement of the cylinder 54, there also occurs a pull on the drawbar 25, in that this is connected to the other end of the cylinder 54, said drawbar in the locking arrangement for the container carrying out a rotation around a rotation axis 27 of a lock 26 in the form of a hook which engages in a recess around a rotation axis 27. The container is hereby loosened from its connection to the refuse collection vehicle. The container is thus released and ready to be removed from the refuse collection vehicle by means of the lifting arms arranged for this purpose.

The removal of the container from the refuse collection vehicle is illustrated in figs. 3A-3C and 4, in that figs. 3A-3C show the lifting arm 13 in the position of rest, after which the lifting arm is activated and with its gripping claw 17 grips around a boss 46 provided for this purpose at each end of the container, after which the lifting arm 13, describing an arcuate movement, move the container 2 out to the side and place it on the ground. The gripping claw 17 can now be loosened from its grip around the boss 46, and the lifting arm can be swung back into place. The refuse collection vehicle is equipped with a suitable supporting leg to ensure that the weight of the container does not cause the vehicle to tip sideways.

The function of the lifting arm 13 and the function of the gripping claws 17 will now be described in more detail with reference to fig. 4.

Fig. 4 shows the lifting arm in three positions, i.e. partly in a position of rest, partly in a position in which it establishes a grip on the container, and partly in a position in which the container is placed on the ground. The lifting arm 13 consists of an arm 14 which is connected to the refuse collection vehicle via a fulcrum 48. A hydraulic cylinder 15 is connected to the arm 14 via a fulcrum 48, so that upon activation of the hydraulic cylin- der, which typically has a stroke length in the order of 125 mm, the arm 14 is turned around the fulcrum 47 as a result of the hydraulic cylinder's extension and herewith the displacement of the fulcrum 48.

The actual gripping claw 17, which is similarly activated by means of a hy- draulic system, is mounted on the end of the arm 14. The gripping claw typically consists of two forks which can be spread out to an angle of about 180°, and completely closed so that the two forks lie parallel with each other and thus constitute an adjustable but also a particularly secure gripping arrangement around the two bosses 46 on the container 2. After the container 2 has been brought to a place arranged for this purpose, it must be emptied.

The gripping arrangement can, however, be more simply configured as a plate in which there is a hole corresponding with the boss on the con- tainer. When lifting the container, the boss is positioned in the hole, after which the container is removed.

Fig. 7 shows how the cover 29 on the container 2 is opened. The cover 29 extends over an upper opening 36 through which the emptying of the waste must take place. The cover locking mechanism is seen in more detail in fig. 8, which shows that the cover is secured by means of a hook 33 which engages with a recess provided for this purpose. The hook 33 is connected via a spring 39 to a connection element in the form of a rod 32. The opposite end of the rod 32 is fastened to a pressure plate 31 which is arranged in a recess in which it can slide. The recess 30 provides room enough for the protruding part on a lifting arrangement to be able to slide in the recess 30, and by this movement the gripping arrangement abuts against the pressure plate 31 , and since the pressure plate 31 is mounted in a sliding manner in the recess 30 by means of springs 38, there thus occurs a horizontal movement of the plate, which in turn gives rise to a pull on the connection rod 32. Since the connection rod 32 is pivotably mounted on the upper part of the container via its suspension system, it will cause the hook 33 to be disengaged from its notch and thus give rise to an opening of the cover 29. The recess 30 is placed at the end of the container 2 opposite to that at which the container's filling opening 7 is placed, and is typically provided in the container's side surfaces and opens out in the end surface. The space in which the lifting arrangements are required to move can thus said to be provided gratuitously. The cover 29 is now loosened from the container, and when the lifting arrangement 34 effects a lifting of the container by a turning movement, the waste can thus fall out through the opening down into a large collection container provided for this purpose.

The actual method for the collection of waste is illustrated in fig. 9 and will be explained in more detail in the following.

The container must first be filled, in that the rear section is filled by means of a lift 56 which raises the filled waste bin for emptying in the rear section 3, and the waste is now transferred from the rear section to the container 2, in that the worm conveyor rotates and via its spiral windings conveys the waste under compression to the container. The waste is hereby compressed and transferred to the container 2. It can be expedient for the rear section also to house a weighing arrangement, thus making it possible to monitor the amount of waste as a function of selected criteria. After the container has been filled, the refuse collection vehicle is driven to a collec- tion station. The advantage of the refuse collection vehicle is, among other things, that it is configured as a small and very flexible vehicle which, due to its lesser weight, is more environment friendly, in that it does not load and wear out the roads as much as the commonly-known vehicles.

After the containers are filled, these are thus returned to a collection station, and at the collection station the procedure is that the rear section is pushed backwards, whereby the lock on the container is released. Thereafter, the hydraulic lifting arm raises the container and places it on the ground at the side. The empty refuse collection vehicle can now be driven to the depot for empty containers, and a container can again be mounted on the vehicle by means of its lifting arm. The rear section is moved back into place, and the container is locked to the refuse collection vehicle.

Where the filled container is concerned, this lies at a depot togther with other filled containers and is emptied by means of a large refuse collec- tion vehicle, which with a lifting arangement in the form of a horizontally- extending claw slides this into the container's recess, whereby the pressure plate at the end of the recess is activated and effects an opening of the container's cover, so that the filling opening is exposed. The refuse collection vehicle now lifts the container up into the vertical position, and will thus empty the contents into a large collection container placed on the bed of the large refuse collection vehicle. The containers on the large refuse collection vehicles are considerably larger than the small containers which need to be emptied, and the advantage herewith will be quite obvious, in that the large refuse collection vehicles can be driven to the collection sites where the smaller containers containing the waste have been placed, and can thus be driven further to the relevant incineration plants etc.

After the container has been emptied down into the large refuse collection vehicle, it is as mentioned again placed where it can be fetched by a refuse collection vehicle which can use the empty container for the further collection of waste.

With this satellite collection principle, less wear on the roads is achieved, in that the small refuse collection vehicles carry out the collection of waste and deposit this in smaller depots, following which the large, commonly- known refuse collection vehicles, after having made the collection, carry out transport to the incineration plants or authorised refuse dumps. Fur- thermore, a flexible, quick and effective collection and saving of energy is achieved. The satellite refuse depots do not require prior approval by the authorities for collection for the incineration plants, whereas the relevant incineration plants require approval and are also placed at great distances between them.

Claims

1. Refuse collection vehicle (1) for the collection of waste, comprising a removable container (2) and a rear section (3) at the end surface of the container and displaceable rearwards in relation to the container (2), said rear section (3) comprising means for displacement and being mounted at the end opposite to that of the driver's cabin (35), said rear section (3) also comprising a compressor for the compression of refuse, characterized in that lifting arms (13) are preferably mounted at the front and rear ends of the container (2) for sideways removal of the container, said lifting arms (13) constituting an integrated part of the refuse collection vehicle (1), and in that the compressor is an inclined worm conveyor (50) arranged in a part-cylinder (58), the free and highest-lying end area of said worm conveyor (50) lying in the rearmost end of the container when the rear section (3) is in place for the compression of refuse.

2. Refuse collection vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the means of displacement comprise a slide rail which via a slide guide is disposed in a frame attached to the refuse collection vehicle.

3. Refuse collection vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lifting arms (13) are activated hydraulically and are pivotably connected at the one end to the refuse collection vehicle.

4. Refuse collection vehicle according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that opposite the pivotable ends, the lifting arms (13) comprise a movable and adjustable gripping claw.

5. Refuse collection vehicle according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the container (2) is removably secured to the chassis (11) of the refuse collection vehicle by means of a releasable lock mechanism (26), said lock mechanism (26) being opened when the rear section is moved away from the container.

6. Refuse collection vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the lock mechanism (26) comprises a drawbar (25) which at the one end is connected to the lock (26) and at the other end is connected to the rear section (3).

7. Refuse collection vehicle according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the rear section (3) comprises a weighing device.

8. Refuse collection vehicle according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that a recess/opening is provided at the rear end of the container (2), the extent of said recess/opening being at least as large as the cross-section of the end area of the worm conveyor.

9. Refuse collection vehicle according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the upper surface of the container (2) comprises a releasable and closable cover (29), the locking mechanism (33) for said cover comprising a connection element (32) for the lock and a pressure plate (31) at a distance from the cover (29).

10. Refuse collection vehicle according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the container (2) comprises as least one recess (30) which opens out in the one end surface, and in the bottom of which the pressure plate (31) is mounted.

11. Method for the collection of waste and the like in containers (2) by means of refuse collection vehicles (1) according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the waste is loaded into the rear section (3) of the container, that the waste is then transferred to the container (2) via an opening (7) provided in said container (2), that the filled container is thereafter lifted out over the longitudinal side of the refuse collection vehicle's chassis frame by means of lifting arms (13) which constitute an integrated part of the refuse collection vehicle, said container (2) then being emptied into a collection container or placed in a place ar- ranged for this purpose, preferably in a collection station, the lifting arm

(13) of said refuse collection vehicle then being used to lift the same or another empty container (2) up on to the bed of the refuse collection vehicle.

12. Method according to claim 11 , c h a ra cte ri ze d in that the filled containers (2) are emptied over into a refuse collection vehicle with containers having a considerably greater volume than the volume of the filled containers, said refuse collection vehicle subsequently placing the empty container back at the collection station, the empty containers at the collection station then being mounted on refuse collection vehicles.

13. Method according to claims 11 and 12, c h a ra cte ri ze d in that the refuse collection vehicle is equipped with lifting arms, said lifting arms sliding into a recess in the end surface of the container, whereby this movement results in the releasing of the lock for the container's cover, after which the container is lifted up and turned so that the waste is emptied out via the container's openable cover into the container on the refuse collection vehicle.