Scale Based Load Limiting Mechanism For Refuse Vehicles With An Intermediate Container

• US 20150232270A1
• Filed: 02/06/2015
• Published: 08/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Heil Company (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: The Curotto-Can Inc. (Dover Corporation)
• Inventors: PARKER, Brian T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,902,559 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2003/003 Footboards
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2003/022 the discharging means comprising a device for determining the weight of the content of refuse receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/184 Weighing means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 3/00 Vehicles particularly adapted for collecting refuse vehicles in general B60; driving vehicle equipment or auxiliaries B60K; discharging contents by tilting entire vehicles B65G; wheeled apparatus for emptying sewers or cesspools E03F7/10
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 3/04 Linkages, pivoted arms, or pivoted carriers for raising and subsequently tipping receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/083 lift truck scale

Abstract

A weight based load limiting system for a refuse vehicle. The system includes a weight determination module that generates a signal that varies in accordance with a vehicle weight. If the vehicle weight approaches or exceeds a predetermined maximum weight, the signal inhibits a portion of the loading or packing operation to prevent overloading the vehicle. In various configurations, the system prevents a lifting of a refuse container to prevent emptying of the container into the vehicle hopper. In other various configurations, the system prevents gripping of a refuse can.

Claims

1. A refuse vehicle comprising:

a bin supported by the refuse vehicle;

a lift mechanism, a container is coupled with the lift mechanism to receive refuse to be added to the bin via a lift operation;

a lift assembly for dumping refuse cans into the container coupled with the lift mechanism;

a sensor for sensing a weight, the weight varying in accordance with the refuse contained in the bin;

a controller, the controller receiving a weight signal from the sensor;

a lift lockout, the lift lockout inhibiting operation of the lift mechanism if the weight sensed by the sensor exceeds a predetermined value.

2. The refuse vehicle of claim 1, wherein the lift mechanism is a front lift mechanism, the front lift mechanism lifting the container over the front of the refuse vehicle to deposit refuse in the bin.

3. The refuse vehicle of claim 1, wherein the lift lockout inhibits upward motion of the lift mechanism beyond a predetermined position.

4. The refuse vehicle of claim 3, wherein the lift mechanism is a solenoid controlled air valve.

5. The refuse vehicle of claim 3, wherein the lift lockout enables downward motion of the lift mechanism for moving the vessel in the downward direction.

6. A refuse vehicle comprising:

a bin supported by the refuse vehicle;

a gripper mechanism, the gripper mechanism associated with a container coupled with a lift mechanism on the vehicle, the gripper mechanism taking hold of a can containing refuse to be added to the container coupled with the lifting mechanism;

a sensor for sensing a weight, the weight varying in accordance with the refuse contained in the bin;

a controller, the controller receiving a weight signal from the sensor;

a lockout, the lockout inhibiting operation of the gripper mechanism if the weight sensed by the sensor exceed a predetermined value.

9. The refuse vehicle of claim 6, wherein the gripper mechanism is mounted on the container.

10. The refuse vehicle of claim 6, wherein the lockout inhibits lifting of the gripper mechanism.

8. The refuse vehicle of claim 8, wherein the lockout inhibits the gripper mechanism from taking hold of the can.

7. The refuse vehicle of claim 8, wherein the gripper mechanism lifts the can toward the container to deposit refuse in the container.