Refuse collection vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a waste collection vehicle with a loading mechanism that transfers waste from a loading hopper into a collection chamber, a sensor device configured to determine the remaining capacity in the loading hopper, an optical detection device arranged in the area of ​​the filling opening which is configured to identify waste containers to be emptied, and a control system configured to activate the loading mechanism as needed, depending on the identified waste containers and the remaining capacity of the loading hopper. This reduces wear, energy consumption, and noise pollution.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a waste collection vehicle with the features of claim 1.

[0002] When operating a waste collection vehicle, especially a rear-loading model, the waste is tipped from a waste container into a loading hopper. A lifting and tipping device is used for this purpose. A loading mechanism pushes the waste into a collection container and compacts it in the process.

[0003] The loading mechanism can be operated manually, but also automatically or semi-automatically, for example after a certain number of strokes of the lifting and tilting device or depending on the fill level of the loading trough, as disclosed, for example, in WO 2012 / 067 506 A1 or DE 91 05 772 U1.

[0004] At the same time, the loading system should be used as efficiently as possible to avoid unnecessary noise emissions, wear and tear, and energy consumption. This means that the number of loading cycles should be minimized; in other words, the loading process should only be initiated when a certain amount of waste is present in the loading hopper.

[0005] With automatic activation after a certain number of strokes, this fill level limit can be either exceeded or fallen below, depending on the volume of the waste container and its fill level. In this case, the loading mechanism is activated unnecessarily early, even though more containers could have been emptied into the loading hopper, or the loading hopper is overfilled and spills waste when the loading mechanism is activated, which then has to be collected by the operator.

[0006] If the fill level limit itself is used as a benchmark for activation, it can happen that further emptying takes place because the fill level limit has not yet been reached and the loading tray is then overfilled by the additional waste volume.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages. This object is achieved by a waste collection vehicle with the features of claim 1. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] The invention relates to a waste collection vehicle with a loading unit that transports waste from a loading hopper into a collection chamber, a sensor device configured to determine the remaining capacity in the loading hopper, wherein an optical recognition device arranged in the area of ​​the filling opening is provided for identifying waste containers to be emptied, and a control system configured to activate the loading unit as required, depending on the identified waste containers and the remaining capacity of the loading hopper.

[0009] According to the invention, it is not the absolute fill level alone that plays a role in activating the loading mechanism, but rather the interplay between the remaining capacity of the loading hopper, i.e., the volume of waste still needed to reach a previously defined fill level limit, and the amount of waste expected when the next waste container is emptied.

[0010] Identification can take place while an operator is bringing the waste container to the waste collection vehicle. It can also take place as the waste collection vehicle approaches the waste container(s) by identifying the containers that are ready for collection.

[0011] The control system uses the identified waste container to determine whether its fill level is likely to be exceeded during emptying. If not, it allows emptying; otherwise, it activates the loading mechanism. This ensures that the loading mechanism is only activated when actually needed, minimizing the number of loading cycles and thus reducing wear, energy consumption, and noise.

[0012] Preferably, the container volume is determined when identifying waste containers. In other words, the type of waste container is determined, for example, whether it is a two-wheeled or four-wheeled container and what its capacity is.

[0013] In a situation where the loading tray still has residual capacity for a small two-wheeled container, emptying such a container can still be permitted before the loading mechanism becomes active, whereas a four-wheeled container can only be emptied once the loading mechanism has cleared the loading tray again.

[0014] Determining the type of waste is still a preferred method for identifying waste containers. The type of waste, for example glass, plastic, or paper, can also influence whether another emptying cycle is possible. Lighter materials like paper or plastic are more likely to fall out of the loading hopper when it is full than heavier materials like organic waste or glass. Therefore, in the latter cases, one more emptying cycle can be tolerated before the loading mechanism is activated.

[0015] It is also preferred that, when identifying waste containers, the time remaining until emptying is determined. This makes the operation of the loading station more efficient by reducing operator waiting times. For example, as soon as it is clear that a loading cycle is required before emptying the next waste container, this cycle can be started early enough to be completed as soon as the waste container reaches the waste collection vehicle. The waste container can then be emptied immediately without any waiting time.

[0016] A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the identification of the waste container is carried out with the support of artificial intelligence. A data model is stored and continuously trained, which is capable of identifying the waste containers with high accuracy and, in particular, of distinguishing them from other objects. This makes the identification process more efficient.

[0017] Preferably, the optical recognition device is a camera, in particular a 3D camera. This allows color and shape information to be captured effectively, thereby improving the identification of the waste containers.

[0018] Preferably, the waste collection vehicle has a lifting and tipping device with two sections, so that either each section can independently lift and empty a smaller waste container, or both sections together can lift and empty a larger waste container. In this embodiment, for example, two smaller waste containers, such as two-wheeled containers, can be emptied simultaneously or in quick succession. Alternatively, a large container, such as a four-wheeled container, can be emptied.

[0019] According to the invention, this embodiment can take into account whether only one small container is being emptied, whether it is located on a first section or a second section of the lifting-tipping or tilting device, or whether two small containers are being emptied in parallel. Based on this information, a decision can be made as to whether the loading process is activated or not.

[0020] For example, the volume of a single small container can still be accommodated, but not the waste volume of two small containers emptied simultaneously. In that case, it is advisable to activate the loading mechanism first before emptying can take place.

[0021] Preferably, the weight of the waste containers is determined, ideally before or during the emptying process, and the fill level of the waste container is calculated from this. This allows for a more accurate prediction of the expected waste quantity at the next emptying, as it eliminates the need to assume a completely full waste container as an extreme case. This further improves efficiency.

[0022] The weight can be determined, for example, using appropriate devices on the lifting and tipping mechanism. The accuracy of the fill level determination can be further improved by also taking the type of waste and its specific weight into account.

[0023] It is therefore particularly advantageous that the loading device can only be activated if the specified remaining capacity and the specified container volume together exceed the total capacity of the loading tray. This means that only the actual contents of the waste container are relevant.

[0024] Furthermore, it is preferable to have specific fill levels in the loading hopper, above which the loading mechanism is activated depending on the defined container volume. Specific fill levels refer to a predetermined fill level of the loading hopper, for example, 25%, 50%, or 100% of the maximum fill level. This allows the remaining capacity to be determined in stages, so that an exact absolute remaining capacity does not need to be determined. This simplifies system calibration and the evaluation algorithm.

[0025] It is also preferred that the loading mechanism be activated independently of specific identification as soon as a number of waste containers ready for emptying have been identified. In densely populated areas, waste containers are often placed in groups so that they can be emptied in rapid succession. In such cases, it is practical and more efficient in terms of saving time to use the loading mechanism more frequently or even continuously without first assessing the remaining capacity or the condition of the waste container.

Claims

1. Waste collection vehicle with a loading unit that transfers waste from a loading hopper into a collection room, a sensor device designed to determine a remaining capacity in the loading hopper, characterized by the fact that An optical recognition device is provided in the area of ​​the filling opening, which is designed to identify waste containers to be emptied, and a control system is designed to activate the loading mechanism as required, depending on the identified waste containers and the remaining capacity of the loading trough.

2. Waste collection vehicle according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that The container volume is determined when identifying the waste containers.

3. Waste collection vehicle according to claim 1 or 2 characterized by the fact that The type of waste is determined when identifying the waste containers.

4. Waste collection vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized by the fact thatWhen identifying waste containers, the time remaining until the waste container needs to be emptied is determined.

5. Waste collection vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized by the fact that The identification of the waste container is carried out with the support of artificial intelligence.

6. Waste collection vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized by the fact that the optical recognition device is a camera, in particular a 3D camera, 7. Waste collection vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterized by the fact that The waste collection vehicle has a lifting and tipping device that has two sections, so that either each section can independently lift and empty a smaller waste container or both sections together can lift and empty a larger waste container.

8. Waste collection vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 7 characterized by the fact thatThe weight of the waste containers is determined, preferably before or during the emptying process, and the fill level of the waste container is determined from this.

9. Waste collection vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterized by the fact that The charging device can only be activated if the specific remaining capacity and the specific container volume together exceed the total capacity of the charging tray.

10. Waste collection vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 9 characterized by the fact that Specific fill levels are provided for the loading trough, above which the loading mechanism is activated depending on the specific container volume.

11. Waste collection vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 10 characterized by the fact that The loading mechanism is activated independently of specific identification as soon as a majority of waste containers ready for emptying have been identified.

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