Scale based load limiting mechanism for refuse vehicles with an intermediate container

• US 9,902,559 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2015
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Adams, Gregory W
• Application Number:
  US14/615,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20150232270A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: 414345, 414422, 414406, 414421, 414408, 414500, 4145254, 4145255, 4145256, 60399, 91449
• 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 on the refuse vehicle;

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

a second lift mechanism, the second lift mechanism associated with the container, the second lift mechanism adding refuse into the container, the container is coupled with the first lift mechanism on the vehicle, the second lift mechanism includes a gripper, the gripper takes hold of a can containing refuse to be added to the container coupled with the first lift mechanism;

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

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

an interlock, the interlock inhibiting operation of the second lift mechanism on the container if the payload weight sensed by the sensor exceed a predetermined value.

2. The refuse vehicle of claim 1, wherein the second lift mechanism lifts the can toward the container to deposit refuse in the container.

3. The refuse vehicle of claim 1, wherein the interlock inhibits the gripper from taking hold of the can.

4. The refuse vehicle of claim 1, wherein the second lift mechanism is mounted on the container.

5. The refuse vehicle of claim 1, wherein the interlock inhibits raising of the second lift mechanism.