Refuse vehicle control system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A refuse vehicle comprising:
- a refuse loader capable of moving a load of refuse along a path and into the refuse vehicle;
an electronic control system capable of controlling the refuse loader; and
wherein the refuse loader controlled by the electronic control system is capable of moving the load along the path and performing an operation in relation to a position along the path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A refuse vehicle is disclosed comprising a refuse loader capable of moving a load of refuse along a path and into the refuse vehicle and an electronic control system capable of controlling the refuse loader. The refuse loader controlled by the electronic control system is capable of moving the load along the path and performing an operation in relation to a position along the path.
142 Citations
46 Claims
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1. A refuse vehicle comprising:
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a refuse loader capable of moving a load of refuse along a path and into the refuse vehicle;
an electronic control system capable of controlling the refuse loader; and
wherein the refuse loader controlled by the electronic control system is capable of moving the load along the path and performing an operation in relation to a position along the path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A refuse vehicle comprising:
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a refuse loader, the refuse loader being capable of moving a load along a path and into the refuse vehicle; and
an electronic control system capable of controlling movement of the refuse loader along the path;
wherein the refuse loader controlled by electronic control system is capable of;
(a) moving the load along the path and performing an operation in relation to a position along the path; and
(b) repeating step (a) using substantially the same operation and substantially the same position.
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19. A refuse vehicle comprising:
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a refuse loader comprising arms movably mounted to a frame and vehicle body combination;
forks movably mounted to the arms, the forks being capable of receiving a load;
wherein the refuse loader is capable of moving a load along a path and into the refuse vehicle;
an electronic control system comprising a plurality of actuators, the plurality of actuators being capable of adjusting the position of the refuse loader;
wherein the electronic control system controls the refuse loader as the refuse loader moves the load along the path and into the refuse vehicle, the electronic control system being capable of controlling the refuse loader to perform an operation in relation to a position along the path;
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20. A refuse vehicle comprising:
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(A) a refuse loader comprising (1) arms movably mounted to a frame and vehicle body combination;
(2) forks movably mounted to the arms, the forks being capable of receiving a load;
(B) a power distribution and control system, the power distribution and control system further including (1) a power source;
(2) a power transmission link;
(3) a plurality of output devices, the plurality of output devices including a plurality of actuators capable of adjusting the position of the refuse loader;
(4) a plurality of input devices, the plurality of input devices including a plurality of position indicators capable of providing position information pertaining to the position of the arms or forks;
(5) a communication network, and (6) a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules, the plurality of interface modules being coupled to the power source by way of the power transmission link, the plurality of interface modules being interconnected to each other by way of the communication network, and the plurality of interface modules being coupled to the plurality of input devices and to the plurality of output devices by way of respective dedicated communications links, and the plurality of interface modules including an interface module that is coupled to at least some of the plurality of position sensors and at least some of the plurality of actuators;
wherein the plurality of interface modules, the plurality of input devices, and the plurality of output devices are distributed throughout the refuse vehicle; and
wherein each respective interface module is locally disposed with respect to the respective input and output devices to which the respective interface module is coupled so as to permit distributed data collection from the plurality of input devices and distributed power distribution to the plurality of output devices.
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21. A refuse vehicle comprising:
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a refuse loader;
a hopper including a door; and
an electronic control system capable of controlling the refuse loader;
wherein the electronic control system is capable of preventing the refuse loader from moving a load into the hopper if the door is not in an open position. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A refuse vehicle comprising:
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a refuse loader;
a hopper;
a packer; and
an electronic control system capable of controlling the refuse loader;
wherein the electronic control system is capable of preventing the refuse loader from moving a load into the hopper if the packer is not at a home position.
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26. A refuse vehicle comprising:
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a refuse loader;
a refuse container capable of being raised; and
an electronic control system capable of controlling the refuse loader;
wherein the electronic control system is capable of preventing the refuse loader from moving if the refuse container is in a raised position. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. A method of operating a refuse vehicle comprising:
moving a load of refuse along a path and into the refuse vehicle, the moving step being controlled by an electronic control system, the moving step including performing an operation in relation to a position along the path. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A method of controlling a refuse vehicle having an electronic control system comprising:
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moving a load of refuse along a path and into the refuse vehicle, the moving step being controlled by the electronic control system, the moving step including performing an operation in relation to a position along the path. repeating the moving step including performing the same operation at the same position along the path.
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Specification