Disclosed embodiments relate generally to refuse collection vehicles and more particularly to a rear loading refuse vehicle with a modular refuse packing assembly.
Refuse vehicles have long serviced homes and businesses in urban, residential, and rural areas. Collected waste is commonly transported to a landfill, an incinerator, a recycling plant, or some other facility. After collection in a hopper (e.g., located in the tailgate of a rear loading vehicle), the waste is generally compacted into a storage chamber in the body of the vehicle. Such compaction reduces the volume of the refuse and increases the carrying capacity of the vehicle. In rear loading refuse vehicles, the packing mechanism is built into the tailgate and is commonly configured to draw the refuse up out of the hopper and compact it towards the front of the vehicle.
While such refuse vehicles have long been serviceable, there is a need for further improvements. As currently configured, the refuse compacting mechanism is built into the tailgate such that it can only be assembled and/or serviced at the part level. Servicing the mechanism commonly requires disassembling (and then reassembling) a number of individual components inside the tailgate. This process is time consuming (often sidelining a vehicle for days or even weeks for a minor repair) and presents a safety hazard to service technicians required to work in the confines of the tailgate structure. There is a need for a rear loading refuse vehicle with an improved tailgate assembly and in particular a tailgate assembly that addresses the above described drawbacks.
A refuse vehicle body includes a tailgate coupled to a rearward end of the body and configured to move between a closed position and an open position. The body includes a modular refuse packing assembly removably mounted to the tailgate and configured to compact refuse received in a hopper into a storage chamber located in the body. In one embodiment, the modular refuse packing assembly includes a frame supporting an actuator and a blade. The frame is removably coupled to the tailgate. The actuator is configured to move the blade between extended and retracted positions and thereby compact the refuse received in the hopper.
One aspect of the present disclosure features a refuse vehicle body configured for deployment on a vehicle chassis. The body includes a refuse storage chamber; a tailgate on a rear end of the body and configured to move between a closed position and an open position, the tailgate including a hopper configured to receive refuse; a modular refuse packing assembly in the tailgate and configured to compact refuse received in the hopper into the storage chamber; the modular refuse packing assembly including a frame supporting an actuator and a blade, the frame removably coupled to the tailgate, the actuator configured to move the blade and thereby compact the refuse received in the hopper.
Embodiments may include one or more of the following features.
In some embodiments, the modular refuse packing assembly is configured to be removed from the tailgate as a unitary whole.
In some embodiments, the frame is configured to transfer actuation forces to the tailgate when the actuator causes the blade to compact the refuse received in the hopper.
In some embodiments, the frame is bolted or pinned to the tailgate.
In some embodiments, the frame includes a plurality of plates mechanically coupled with and supported by a plurality of tubular support members; the tubular support members are bolted or pinned to the tailgate; and the actuator is rotatably coupled to one of the plates.
In some embodiments, the hopper is located in a lower portion of the tailgate and the modular refuse packing assembly is located above the hopper.
In some embodiments, the actuator includes a linear electrical actuator.
In some embodiments, the modular refuse packing assembly further includes an electrical connector configured to couple with a corresponding connector located in the tailgate.
In some embodiments, the actuator includes a hydraulic piston.
In some embodiments, the modular refuse packing assembly further includes a hydraulic fluid connector configured to couple with a corresponding connector located in the tailgate.
In some embodiments, the modular refuse packing assembly further includes a slide panel, a lower end of the slide panel being rotationally coupled with an upper end of the blade.
In some embodiments, the modular refuse packing assembly includes at least first and second actuators, the first actuator rotationally coupled a lower end of the blade and the second actuator rotationally coupled to an upper end of the blade.
In some embodiments, the frame includes first and second plates coupled with and supported by first, second, and third tubular support members; at least the first and second tubular support members are bolted or pinned to the tailgate; the first actuator is rotationally coupled with the first plate proximate the first tubular support member; the second actuator is rotationally coupled with the first plate proximate the second tubular support member; a first linkage is rotationally coupled with both the first plate and the upper end of the blade; and a second linkage is rotationally coupled with both the first plate and an upper end of the slide panel.
In some embodiments, the modular refuse packing assembly includes first and second pairs of the first and second actuators deployed on opposing sides of the modular refuse packing assembly.
In some embodiments, the refuse vehicle further includes an ejector movable in the body and configured eject refuse from the storage chamber when the tailgate is in the open position.
Another aspect of the present disclosure features a refuse vehicle including a chassis; and any refuse vehicle body disclosed herein on the chassis.
Yet another aspect of the present disclosure features a method for servicing a refuse vehicle, the method including providing any of the refuse vehicles disclosed herein; decoupling the modular refuse packing assembly from the tailgate; removing the modular refuse packing assembly from the tailgate; servicing the modular refuse packing assembly; deploying said serviced modular refuse packing assembly in the tailgate of the refuse vehicle or in a tailgate of a different refuse vehicle; and coupling the serviced modular refuse packing assembly to the tailgate.
Another aspect of the present disclosure features a method for servicing a refuse vehicle, the method including providing any of the refuse vehicles of the disclosure; decoupling the modular refuse packing assembly from the tailgate; removing the modular refuse packing assembly from the tailgate; deploying a different modular refuse packing assembly in the tailgate; and coupling the serviced modular refuse packing assembly to the tailgate.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.
For a more complete understanding of the disclosed subject matter, and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
Rear loading refuse vehicles are disclosed. Example refuse vehicles include a refuse vehicle body deployed on a vehicle chassis. The vehicle body includes storage chamber and a tailgate configured to move between closed and open positions. The tailgate includes a hopper and a modular refuse packing assembly configured to compact refuse received in the hopper into the storage chamber. In one embodiment, the modular refuse packing assembly includes a frame supporting an actuator and a blade. The frame is removably coupled to (or mounted on) the tailgate (e.g., removably coupled to the tailgate weldment). The actuator is configured to move the blade between extended and retracted positions and thereby compact the refuse received in the hopper.
The disclosed embodiments may advantageously provide a refuse vehicle, refuse vehicle body, and/or rear loading refuse vehicle tailgate in which the refuse packing assembly is modular to the tailgate. By modular it is meant that the packing assembly is substantially fully assembled outside of the tailgate prior to deployment in and coupling with the tailgate. Such modularity may advantageously improve access for assembly and surface treatment (e.g., painting). Such modularity may further improve the serviceability of the refuse packing assembly. For example, a malfunctioning refuse packing assembly may be removed from the vehicle tailgate and immediately replaced with a spare module thereby significantly reducing the overall unit downtime. The malfunctioning refuse packing assembly may then be repaired separate from the vehicle (and without removing the vehicle from service).
It will be appreciated that use of a modular refuse packing assembly may further improve safety. In particular, a modular assembly obviates the need for service personnel to work in the confines and sometimes contaminated environment of the tailgate structure. Moreover, removing the modular from the tailgate may reduce overall service time by providing easier access to assembly components.
The disclosed refuse vehicle tailgate structure may be further advantageous in that refuse packing assembly may be readily updated or swapped out with improved models or modules including different or updated functionality. For example, the modular packing assembly may be swapped out with a chipper or mulcher for spring and fall collections or with a shredder or other compaction assembly configured for recyclables.
While not depicted on
In the depicted embodiment an electrical actuator 120 (e.g., an electrically powered winch) is deployed on the roof 115 of the vehicle body 110. The electrical actuator 120 is configured to rotate the rear loading tailgate 150 between the open and closed positions via drawing and releasing cable 122. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to any particular tailgate actuation mechanism. For example, alternative embodiments may utilize conventional hydraulic pistons deployed on either the tailgate or the body to open and close the tailgate.
It will be understood that in the disclosed embodiments, the vehicle may optionally include a tailgate locking mechanism to lock the tailgate in the closed position. The locking mechanism may be advantageously configured to secure the rear loading tailgate 150 in the closed position such that it can withstand compaction forces imparted by the modular refuse packing assembly 200 against an ejector panel and/or compacted refuse in the storage chamber 112.
The optional locking mechanism may include substantially any suitable mechanism. For example, the locking mechanism may include a manual locking mechanism including a threaded member or a pin deployed on the body (or tailgate) that engages a corresponding aperture on the tailgate (or body). The locking mechanism may alternatively include a powered mechanism in which a pin, screw, or bar engages a corresponding aperture or slot. Such mechanisms may be powered, for example, via hydraulic, electric, or pneumatic power and may be advantageously controlled from the cab.
Turning now to
With continued reference to
The frame 210 may include substantially any suitable support structure configured to support the blade 220 and slide panel 230 as well as the corresponding first and second actuators 240, 245 and first and second linkages 250, 255. In the depicted embodiment, the frame includes first, second, and third cross tubulars 212, 213, 214 supporting a plurality of plates 216, 217. The cross tubulars are deployed in a substantially orthogonal direction to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The first and second cross tubulars 212, 213 may be removably coupled to the rear loading tailgate 150 at opposing ends thereof (as depicted schematically at 300). The plates 216, 217 may be deployed, for example, on opposing sides (left side and right side) of the modular refuse packing assembly 200 and may include multiple plates on each side of the modular refuse packing assembly 200 (e.g., as depicted on
The first and second actuators 240, 245 may include substantially any suitable linear actuators, for example, including hydraulic pistons or electrically powered linear actuators. In embodiments including hydraulic actuators, the modular refuse packing assembly 200 may further include a hydraulic connector (e.g., a hydraulic quick connect) configured to connect with hydraulic power in the tailgate. In embodiments including electric actuators, the modular refuse packing assembly 200 may further include an electrical connector configured to connect to an electrical power source. Each electrically powered actuator may include a corresponding electrical motor 252. Moreover, embodiments employing electrically powered actuators may further include optional motor brakes that may be engaged to secure the blade 220 and the slide panel 230 in the fully compacted positions (e.g., after a compaction operation). Substantially any suitable motor brake may be employed, for example, including a direct current (DC) spring set brake, an electrically set brake, or a permanent magnet set brake.
In the depicted embodiment, the first actuator 240 is rotatably coupled (e.g., pinned) with a lower portion 222 of the blade 220 and one of the plates 216, 217 (e.g., a lower back end of the plate proximate to the first cross tubular 212 as depicted on
As depicted on
It will be appreciated that modular refuse packing assembly 200 may include symmetric pairs of first and second actuators and upper and lower linkages deployed on opposing sides (e.g., the left side and right side) of the modular refuse packing assembly 200 (e.g., corresponding to the left side and the right side of the vehicle). For example, in the depicted embodiment, modular refuse packing assembly 200 includes first and second actuators 240, 245 and first and second linkages 250, 255 rotatably coupled to plate 216 and a left side of the blade 220 and slide panel 230 and corresponding first and second actuators 240, 245 and first and second linkages 250, 255 rotatably coupled to plate 217 and a right side of the blade 220 and slide panel 230. It will, of course, be understood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited in this regard.
With continued reference to
Although embodiments of a modular refuse packing assembly for a rear loading refuse vehicle have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alternations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Patent Application No. 63/261,009, entitled “Rear Loading Refuse Vehicle With A Modular Packer,” filed Sep. 8, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63261009 | Sep 2021 | US |