Automatic control of a refuse front end loader
First Claim
1. An automatic control system of a refuse vehicle comprising:
- a first actuatable switch;
a mode select module that;
(i) sets a selected mode to a first mode when the first switch is in a first position; and
(ii) sets the selected mode to a second mode when the first switch is in a second position;
a joystick controller that;
(i) when the selected mode is the first mode;
(a) in response to actuation of a joystick along a first axis, generates control instructions to actuate a lift arm; and
(b) in response to actuation of the joystick along a second axis, generates control instructions to actuate a mechanism engaged with a refuse container; and
(ii) when the selected mode is the second mode and when a second switch is actuated;
(a) in response to actuation of the joystick along a third axis, generates control instructions to actuate the lift arm and the mechanism away from a starting position and toward a dump position; and
(b) in response to actuation of the joystick along a fourth axis, generates control instructions to actuate the lift arm and the mechanism away from the dump position and toward the starting position;
(iii) when the selected mode is the second mode and the second switch is unactuated;
(a) in response to actuation of the joystick, generates control instructions to actuate a loader arm coupled to the refuse container;
a plurality of sensors that sense a plurality of characteristics of the vehicle; and
a control module that actuates the lift arm and the mechanism based on the control instructions and at least one of the plurality of sensed characteristics, when the selected mode is the second mode.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic control system for a refuse vehicle includes a mode select switch disposed within the vehicle that generates a mode select signal based on input from an operator of the vehicle, a control mechanism disposed within the vehicle that operates in response to the mode select signal, and a plurality of sensors adapted to sense a plurality of characteristics of the vehicle and adapted to communicate the plurality of sensed characteristics. The system further includes a control module that receives control instructions from the control mechanism and selectively controls at least one component of a plurality of components of the vehicle based on the mode select signal, at least one of the plurality of sensed characteristics, and the control instructions.
69 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An automatic control system of a refuse vehicle comprising:
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a first actuatable switch; a mode select module that; (i) sets a selected mode to a first mode when the first switch is in a first position; and (ii) sets the selected mode to a second mode when the first switch is in a second position; a joystick controller that; (i) when the selected mode is the first mode; (a) in response to actuation of a joystick along a first axis, generates control instructions to actuate a lift arm; and (b) in response to actuation of the joystick along a second axis, generates control instructions to actuate a mechanism engaged with a refuse container; and (ii) when the selected mode is the second mode and when a second switch is actuated; (a) in response to actuation of the joystick along a third axis, generates control instructions to actuate the lift arm and the mechanism away from a starting position and toward a dump position; and (b) in response to actuation of the joystick along a fourth axis, generates control instructions to actuate the lift arm and the mechanism away from the dump position and toward the starting position; (iii) when the selected mode is the second mode and the second switch is unactuated; (a) in response to actuation of the joystick, generates control instructions to actuate a loader arm coupled to the refuse container; a plurality of sensors that sense a plurality of characteristics of the vehicle; and a control module that actuates the lift arm and the mechanism based on the control instructions and at least one of the plurality of sensed characteristics, when the selected mode is the second mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An automatic control method for a refuse vehicle comprising:
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setting a selected mode to a first mode when a first actuatable switch is in a first position; setting the selected mode to a second mode when the first switch is in a second position; when the selected mode is the second mode; in response to actuation of a joystick along a first axis, generating control instructions to actuate a lift arm; and in response to actuation of the joystick along a second axis, generating control instructions to actuate a mechanism engaged with a refuse container; when the selected mode is the second mode and when a second switch is actuated; in response to actuation of the joystick along a third axis, generating control instructions to actuate the lift arm and the mechanism away from a starting position and toward a dump position; and in response to actuation of the joystick along a fourth axis, generating control instructions to actuate the lift arm and the mechanism away from the dump position and toward the starting position; when the selected mode is the second mode and the second switch is unactuated; in response to actuation of the joystick, generates control instructions to actuate a loader arm coupled to the refuse container; sensing, using a plurality of sensors, a plurality of characteristics of the vehicle; and actuating the lift arm and the mechanism based on the control instructions and at least one of the plurality of sensed characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification