Lifting and tipping device for a waste collection vehicle and waste collection vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a lifting and tilting device (4, 5) for a waste collection vehicle comprising a rotary shaft (9), a lifting carriage (15) rotatably arranged on the rotary shaft (9), at least one lever arrangement arranged at the end of the rotary shaft (9), comprising an upper lever (11) which is arranged at a first end indirectly or directly on the rear part of the waste collection vehicle and rotatably on the rotary shaft (9) at a second end, a lower lever (12) which is arranged at a first end indirectly or directly on the rear part of the waste collection vehicle and is fixedly arranged at a second end on a support shaft (10), as well as a first actuator (13) for moving the lower lever (12) between an initial and an end position, and a second actuator (14) for moving the lifting carriage (15) between an initial and an end position.wherein an intermediate lever (16) is connected at one end to the rotating shaft (9) in a rotationally fixed manner and at one end is rotatably connected to the support shaft (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a lifting and tipping device for a waste collection vehicle with the features of claim 1 and to a waste collection vehicle with such a lifting and tipping device.

[0002] Lifting and tipping devices on waste collection vehicles are used to pick up waste containers and empty their contents into a collection bin or loading tray. To do this, the waste container is first lifted and then tipped after or during the lifting motion so that its opening faces downwards and the contents fall out. It is important that the waste does not fall next to the collection area or loading tray, as this would require manual collection by the operator. At the same time, it is desirable that the lifting and tipping movements take place as close as possible to the waste collection vehicle to minimize the risk of operators and passersby being struck by a swinging container.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a lifting and tilting device that meets these requirements. This object is achieved by a lifting and tilting device with the features of claim 1 and by a waste collection vehicle according to claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the respective dependent claims.

[0004] The invention relates to a lifting and tilting device for a waste collection vehicle comprising a rotary shaft, a lifting carriage rotatably arranged on the rotary shaft, at least one lever arrangement arranged at the end of the rotary shaft, comprising an upper lever which is arranged at a first end indirectly or directly on the rear part of the waste collection vehicle and rotatably on the rotary shaft at a second end, a lower lever which is arranged at a first end indirectly or directly on the rear part of the waste collection vehicle and is fixedly arranged at a second end on a support shaft, as well as a first actuator for moving the lower lever between an initial and an end position, and a second actuator for moving the lifting carriage between an initial and an end position.wherein an intermediate lever is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft at one end and rotatably connected to the support shaft at the other end.

[0005] The lifting and tilting device can have only one such lever arrangement, which is then usually located at one end of the rotating shaft and support shaft. However, it can also have two such lever arrangements, located at the opposite ends of the rotating shaft and support shaft. The latter variant is particularly suitable when the shafts are relatively long and must bear high loads to prevent deflection.

[0006] The rear section of a refuse collection vehicle typically includes a loading hopper and a compaction mechanism that compresses the waste emptied into the hopper and conveys it into the collection area. The lifting and tipping device can be attached directly to the rear section via levers. Alternatively, the lifting and tipping device can be mounted on a frame, which is then attached to the rear section.

[0007] The rotationally fixed connection of the lower lever to the support shaft or of the intermediate lever to the rotating shaft can advantageously be designed as a clamp.

[0008] The pallet truck has a container holder onto which a waste container can be attached for emptying by the device. The lifting and tipping movements preferably occur separately and sequentially.

[0009] The lifting motion is initiated by the first actuator. This pushes the lower lever upwards, which in turn moves the entire lever assembly upwards, guided by the upper lever. During this process, the waste container rotates between 20 and 40 degrees, depending on the design of the lever assembly.

[0010] The complete rotation, so that the opening of the waste container essentially points downwards towards the vehicle's base, is accomplished via the second actuator. Only the pallet truck itself is moved around the rotating shaft.

[0011] Preferably, the second actuator is only activated once the first actuator has completed its work.

[0012] The lever mechanism ensures that the waste container is lifted close to the waste collection vehicle, minimizing the space required for its movement behind the vehicle. The container's rotation is advantageously initiated only when the lifting platform has reached its highest position, i.e., close to the rear of the vehicle. This minimizes the risk of the container's swinging motion to operators and passersby. Simultaneously, this design reduces the amount of waste that falls beside the waste collection vehicle during emptying.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first actuator is a hydraulically operated cylinder arranged between the rear section and the lower lever. Hydraulic cylinders operate robustly and reliably. According to the invention, the cylinder can be arranged directly on the rear section or, alternatively, indirectly via a frame on the rear section. The cylinder is supported by the rear section or the frame when it pushes the lower lever upwards.

[0014] Furthermore, it can be advantageous for the second actuator to be a hydraulically operated cylinder located between the intermediate lever and the pallet truck. This cylinder is supported by the intermediate lever and pushes the pallet truck upwards, thereby setting the pallet truck, which is rotatably mounted around the pivot shaft, into rotation. Here, too, the cylinder represents a robust and reliably operating design of the drive.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the pallet truck can be supported at the upper and lower end stops of the intermediate lever. The end stops ensure that the pallet truck is repeatedly positioned in defined start and end positions. Furthermore, elastic elements can be provided at the end stops to allow for gentle positioning of the pallet truck.

[0016] In a further development of the invention, the pallet truck can be pivoted from a lifting start position to a lifting end position by the first actuator. The pallet truck is initially in a predetermined lifting start position. This position is chosen such that the container holder is located below the interacting elements of the waste container, for example, bags. By moving the lower lever upwards, the first actuator also moves the pallet truck upwards. During this movement, the container holder engages with the waste container, and the container is lifted. The lifting movement ends in the also preset lifting end position.

[0017] Preferably, in the lifting position, the container holder of the pallet truck is located above a loading edge of the rear section. The loading edge is the upper edge of a filling opening or the loading tray over which the waste is emptied from the waste container. By positioning the container holder above the loading edge, it is ensured that the contents of the waste container fall into, and not beside, the waste collection vehicle, even if the container is rotated a certain amount during lifting.

[0018] The rotational movement follows the lifting movement or is superimposed on it. Preferably, the lifting truck is pivoted from a starting position to an end position by the second actuator. The starting position is chosen so that no waste can be lost next to the vehicle when rotation begins.

[0019] Preferably, the starting position of the rotation is identical to the end position of the lifting movement, so that the rotation follows the lifting movement. This minimizes the swinging of the picked-up waste container backwards, which increases safety for operators and passers-by.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, the upper lever, the lower lever, and the first actuator are arranged on a frame that has elongated holes for connection to the rear section of a refuse collection vehicle. The entire lifting and tipping device can then be mounted independently of the refuse collection vehicle and attached as a single assembly to the rear of the vehicle. Furthermore, it is possible to compensate for manufacturing tolerances regarding the mounting height of the lifting and tipping device.

[0021] In a further development of the invention, a stationary magnetic field sensor and a rotatable magnet are arranged to interact on the pallet truck. The magnet is connected to the rotating shaft via a joint arrangement, so that the relative movement of the pallet truck is transmitted to the magnet. This mechanism makes it possible to precisely determine the rotational position of the pallet truck. The rotational movement of the pallet truck is generated by the second actuator rotating the pallet truck around the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is thus stationary relative to the pallet truck. During the rotation of the pallet truck, the section of the joint arrangement fixed to the rotating shaft is held in place while the pallet truck moves. Another section of the joint arrangement is fixed to the rotatably mounted magnet, which is thereby held in place while the pallet truck moves.This results in a relative movement between the magnet and the magnetic field sensor, which the latter detects and from which the relative position of the pallet truck can be determined. This allows the movement of the second actuator to be constantly compared with the rotational position of the pallet truck.

[0022] The invention further relates to a waste collection vehicle with at least one lifting and tipping device as described above. The resulting advantages are the same as explained above. The waste collection vehicle requires little space for the movement of the waste container behind the vehicle. The pivoting movement of the waste container takes place close to the vehicle, thus minimizing the risk of injury to operators and passersby. At the same time, this results in less waste falling next to the waste collection vehicle during emptying, thereby increasing operational efficiency. Reference is also made to the preceding explanations.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the waste collection vehicle has at least two collection compartments and corresponding rear sections, with a lifting and tipping device arranged on each rear section. In this configuration, two or more waste fractions can be collected simultaneously. The lifting and tipping devices can be moved independently of each other. However, it is also possible to move the lifting and tipping devices together, for example, to empty waste containers with separate compartments for different waste fractions into different collection compartments. This can be achieved through control technology and / or mechanical connections. Due to its compact design, the lifting and tipping device is well suited for this application.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the invention, the lifting and tilting devices are driven by a common hydraulic pump. This makes the drive more efficient and cost-effective.

[0025] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the figures and the accompanying description. They show Fig. 1 a lifting and tilting device in the initial lifting position in a perspective view, Fig. 2 the lifting and tilting device in a rear view, Fig. 3 the lifting and tilting device in the initial lifting position in side view, Fig. 4 a lifting and tilting device in an intermediate position in perspective view, Fig. 5 the lifting and tilting device in an intermediate position in side view, Fig. 6 a lifting and tilting device in lifting end position in perspective view, Fig. 7 the lifting and tilting device in lifting end position in side view, Fig. 8 a lifting and tilting device in rotation end position in perspective view, Fig. 9 the lifting and tilting device in rotation end position in side view, Fig. 10 an excerpt from Fig. 2, Fig. 11. The pallet truck in its initial rotation position in a sectional view, Fig. 12. The pallet truck in its rotation end position in a sectional view.

[0026] The Fig. Figure 1 shows the rear of a waste collection vehicle (not shown in detail). The waste collection vehicle has two collection compartments arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. During collection runs, two different waste fractions can be collected in the respective compartments. Each compartment has a corresponding filling opening 1, 2, separated from each other by a partition 3. Each compartment is equipped with a lifting and tipping device 4, 5, which allows a waste container to be picked up, lifted, and emptied over a loading edge 6, 7 into the corresponding filling opening 1, 2. The emptying process is described below using a first lifting and tipping device 4 as an example. Both lifting and tipping devices have identical drive mechanisms and differ only in their dimensions in the transverse direction of the vehicle. In this respect, they are adapted to the differently sized collection compartments.The description of the first lifting and tilting device 4 therefore applies equally to the second lifting and tilting device 5. For the sake of clarity, the reference numerals in the drawings are therefore only given for the first lifting and tilting device 4.

[0027] The 4.5 lifting and tipping devices can be moved independently of each other. However, it is also possible to move them together, for example, to empty waste containers with compartments for different waste fractions into separate collection areas. This can be achieved through control technology and / or mechanical connections. Due to their compact design, the 4.5 lifting and tipping devices are well-suited for this application.

[0028] The emptying of such divided waste containers is supported by the partition 3, which prevents the waste fractions from mixing during emptying.

[0029] The two lifting and tipping devices 4,5 are arranged on a frame 8. The frame 8 is connected to the rear of the waste collection vehicle via vertically oriented elongated holes. This allows production-related tolerances to be compensated for and ensures that the lifting and tipping devices 4,5 and the loading edges 6,7 are positioned at the intended height. Furthermore, the frame 8 and the lifting and tipping devices 4,5 can be mounted independently of the waste collection vehicle, which increases manufacturing efficiency.

[0030] The lifting and tilting device 4 has a rotary shaft 9 and a support shaft 10, at each of whose ends a lever assembly is arranged. For the sake of clarity, the reference numerals in the drawings are only given for one of the two lever assemblies.The lever arrangement comprises an upper lever 11, which is arranged at one end on the frame 8 and rotatably at one end on the pivot shaft 9; a lower lever 12, which is arranged at one end on the frame 8 and at one end fixedly on the support shaft 10; a first actuator 13 for moving the lower lever 12 between a start and an end position; and a second actuator 14 for moving a lifting carriage 15, rotatably mounted on the pivot shaft 9, between a start and an end position. An intermediate lever 16 is connected at one end fixedly to the pivot shaft 9 and at one end rotatably to the support shaft 10. The two actuators 13 and 14 are designed as hydraulically operated cylinders.

[0031] The rotationally fixed connections between the lower lever 12 and the support shaft 10, as well as between the intermediate lever 16 and the rotating shaft 9, are designed here as clamping connections.

[0032] The pallet truck 15 has a comb-shaped container holder 17 on which a waste container to be emptied is positioned. During lifting, the waste container rests on a container support 18, which provides support. To prevent the waste container from falling off the container holder 17 during the emptying process, a locking bar 19 is provided, which clamps the waste container to the container holder 17.

[0033] The first and second actuators 13, 14, as well as the locking bar 19, are hydraulically operated. Furthermore, the lifting and tilting devices 4, 5, and thus all the hydraulic consumers mentioned here, are operated by a common hydraulic pump. This makes the device more efficient and cost-effective.

[0034] In the Fig. Figures 1 to 3 show the lifting and tilting device 4 in a lifting start position. This position is chosen such that the container holder 17 is located below the engagement elements of a waste container, into which the teeth of the comb engage during lifting. Once the waste container is in position, the emptying cycle is started manually or automatically. The movement of the lifting and tilting device 4 is divided into a lifting movement and a rotational movement. In the embodiment described here, the lifting movement is performed first, followed by the rotational movement. However, the movements can also be performed simultaneously.

[0035] The first actuator 13 is actuated initially. The hydraulic cylinder 13 is positioned with one end against the frame 8 and with the other end against the lower lever 12. The first actuator 13 rests against the frame 8 and pushes the lower lever 12 upwards. This causes the pallet truck 15 to also pivot upwards. Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows an intermediate position on the way to the final stroke position. The final stroke position is in the Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 shows the container holder 17 being located above the loading edge 6 of the first filling opening 1. This ensures that the contents of the waste container fall into, and not next to, the vehicle, even though the pallet truck 15 and thus the waste container positioned there are already tilted by approximately 30°. At the same time, the lifting movement is carried out close to the vehicle, so that the required safety zone behind the vehicle is as small as possible.

[0036] The lifting end position shown here also represents the starting position for rotation. The rotation begins in a position where the waste container is very close to the vehicle. This also minimizes its rearward swing-out movement, increasing the safety of operators and pedestrians.

[0037] The pallet truck is pivoted from the rotation start position to the rotation end position by the second actuator 14, which is located in the Fig. 8 and Fig. Figure 9 shows the hydraulic cylinder 14, which is arranged at one end on the intermediate lever 16 and at the other end on the lifting carriage 15. The second actuator 14 rests against the intermediate lever 16 and pushes the lifting carriage 15 upwards, which in the process rotates around the pivot shaft 9. In the end-of-rotation position, the opening of the waste container points essentially downwards, and the waste it contains can fall by gravity into the first filling opening 1.

[0038] When the waste collection container is lowered, the rotation and lifting movements are performed in reverse order.

[0039] During the lifting movement, the pallet truck 15 is supported by a lower stop 20, which is located on the intermediate lever 16 between the rotary shaft 9 and the support shaft 10. In the rotational end position, the pallet truck 15 is supported by an upper stop 21, which is located at the upper end of the intermediate lever 16 when installed.

[0040] Fig. Figure 10 shows a section of the rear view of Fig. 2. The illustrated embodiment of the lifting and tilting device 4 has an arrangement for determining the rotational position of the lifting carriage 15. The arrangement is in Fig. 11 and Fig. Figure 12 shows this again in a sectional view. A stationary magnetic field sensor 22 and a magnet 24 rotatable in a magnet holder 23 are arranged on the pallet truck 15. The magnet 24 is connected to the rotating shaft 9 via a joint arrangement 25, so that the rotation of the pallet truck 15 is transmitted to the magnet 24.

[0041] A clamping ring 26 is attached to the rotating shaft 9, to which a first lever 27 of the joint assembly 15 is attached. The first lever 27 is pivotally connected to a second lever 28, which in turn is pivotally connected to a third lever 29. The third lever 29 is fixedly attached, preferably by welding, to the magnet holder 23.

[0042] During the rotational movement, the rotary shaft 9 and the lifting carriage 15 move relative to each other. Fig. 11 and Fig.Figure 12 shows the pallet truck 15 and the associated joint assembly 25 in the initial and final rotation positions. The pallet truck 15 rotates around the rotating shaft 9, carrying the magnet 24 with it. However, the magnet 24 is connected to the rotating shaft 9 by the joint assembly 25 and can no longer move independently of the rotating shaft 9 with the pallet truck 9. The joint assembly 25 is designed to allow translational movement of the magnet 24 relative to the rotating shaft 9, but at least partially prevents rotational movement. This means that the pallet truck 15 rotates relative to the magnet 24 to the same extent as it rotates relative to the rotating shaft 9. The magnetic field sensor 22, which is stationary relative to the magnet 24, detects the rotation of the magnet 24. In this way, the rotational movement of the pallet truck 15 relative to the rotating shaft 9 can be determined. Reference sign 1 filling opening 2 Filling openings 3 Partition wall 4 first lifting and tilting device 5 second lifting and tilting device 6 Loading edge 7 Loading edge 8 frames 9 Rotary shaft 10 Support shaft 11 upper lever 12 lower lever 13 first actuator 14 second actuator 15 pallet trucks 16 intermediate levers 17 Container mounting 18 container support 19 Locking strip 20 lower stop 21 upper stop 22 Magnetic field sensor 23 Magnetic holder 24 Magnet 25 Joint arrangement 26 clamping ring 27 first lever 28 second lever 29 third lever

Claims

[1] Lifting and tipping device (4,5) for a waste collection vehicle with a rotating shaft (9), a lifting trolley (15) rotatably arranged on the rotating shaft (9), at least one lever arrangement arranged at the end of the rotating shaft (9), comprising an upper lever (11) which is arranged at a first end indirectly or directly on the rear part of the waste collection vehicle and is rotatably arranged at a second end on the rotating shaft (9), a lower lever (12) which is arranged at a first end indirectly or directly on the rear part of the waste collection vehicle and at a second end is arranged non-rotatably on a support shaft (10), as well as a first actuator (13) to move the lower lever (12) between a start and an end position, and a second actuator (14) to move the pallet truck (15) between a starting and an end position, wherein an intermediate lever (16) is connected at a first end to the rotating shaft (9) in a rotationally fixed manner and at a second end is rotatably connected to the support shaft (10). [2] Lifting and tilting device (4,5) for a waste collection vehicle according to claim 1 characterized by , that the first actuator (13) is a hydraulically operated cylinder located between the rear part and the lower lever (12). [3] Lifting and tipping device (4, 5) for a waste collection vehicle according to claim 1 or 2 characterized by , that the second actuator (14) is a hydraulically operated cylinder located between the intermediate lever (16) and the lifting carriage (15). [4] Lifting and tipping device (4, 5) for a waste collection vehicle according to at least one of the preceding claims characterized by , that the pallet truck (15) can be supported on the upper (21) and lower (22) end stops of the intermediate lever (16). [5] Lifting and tilting device (4, 5) for a waste collection vehicle according to at least one of the preceding claims characterized by , that the pallet truck (15) can be pivoted from a lifting start position to a lifting end position by the first actuator (13). [6] Lifting and tipping device (4,5) for a waste collection vehicle according to claim 5 characterized by , that in the lifting end position a container receptacle (17) of the lifting truck (15) is located above a loading edge (6,7) of the rear part. [7] Lifting and tipping device (4,5) for a waste collection vehicle according to at least one of the preceding claims characterized by , that the pallet truck (15) can be pivoted from a rotation start position to a rotation end position by the second actuator (14). [8] Lifting and tipping device (4, 5) for a waste collection vehicle according to at least one of the preceding claims characterized by, that the upper lever (11), the lower lever (12) and the first actuator (13) are arranged on a frame (8) which has elongated holes for connecting to the rear part of a waste collection vehicle. [9] Lifting and tilting device (4, 5) for a waste collection vehicle according to at least one of the preceding claims characterized by , that a stationary magnetic field sensor (22) and a rotatable magnet (24) are arranged to interact on the pallet truck (15), wherein the magnet (24) is connected to the rotating shaft (9) via a joint arrangement (25) so that the relative movement of the pallet truck (15) is transferred to the magnet (24). [10] Waste collection vehicle with at least one lifting and tipping device (4,5) according to at least one of the preceding claims. [11] Waste collection vehicle according to claim 10 with at least two collection compartments and each associated rear section, wherein a lifting and tipping device (4,5) is arranged on each rear section. [12] Waste collection vehicle according to claim 11 characterized by , that the lifting and tilting devices (4,5) are driven by a common hydraulic pump.

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