Refuse collecting vehicle

Abstract

To reduce cost by minimizing the number of sensors for detecting operation in two directions even if emergency stop can be performed by any operation in the two different directions of an operation member of an emergency stop device, in a garbage collecting vehicle having a garbage loading device for loading charged garbage into a garbage charging box into a garbage storage box, and the emergency stop device for urgently stopping the garbage loading device at any time.SOLUTION: An emergency stopping device E includes an operation member B supported on a support body 21 via a movable relay body A so as to be movable in both a first direction and a second direction, first and second dogs d1 and d2 provided at least on the operation member B, and a single sensor S capable of detecting an approaching state even when any of the first and second dogs approaches and outputting a detection signal to be used for emergency stopping. The first dog d1 is arranged to approach the sensor S in response to movement of the operating member B in a first direction, and the second dog d2 is arranged to approach the sensor S in response to movement of the operating member B in a second direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a garbage collection vehicle, and more particularly to a garbage collection vehicle equipped with a garbage storage box mounted on the vehicle body, a garbage drop box connected to the garbage storage box and into which garbage can be dropped, a garbage loading device provided inside the garbage drop box and loading the dropped garbage into the garbage storage box, and an emergency stop device for emergency stopping the garbage loading device at any time. [Background technology]

[0002] The above-mentioned garbage collection vehicle is known in the art, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, and in the emergency stop device of this known vehicle, an operating member (bar 60) is supported on a support (bracket 62) fixed to the garbage dump box via an intermediate arm (first and second swinging members 64, 67) so that the operating member can move in two different directions, i.e., upward and forward. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3631315 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the garbage collection vehicle of Patent Document 1, the emergency stop device has first and second dogs 71, 74 provided on the operating member 60, and first and second sensors (first and second limit switches 72, 75) that can output an emergency stop signal, the first sensor 72 detecting that the first dog 72 comes into close proximity to the sensor 72 as the operating member 60 moves upward and outputs an emergency stop signal, and the second sensor 75 detecting that the second dog 74 comes into close proximity to the sensor 75 as the operating member 60 moves forward and outputs an emergency stop signal. This means that the garbage loading device can be brought to an emergency stop by operating the operating member 60 in either of the two directions, which has the advantage of being easy to operate in an emergency, but on the other hand, it has the following disadvantages.

[0005] That is, since the movements of the operating member 60 in two directions are detected by the separate sensors 72 and 75, the structure becomes more complex and the number of parts increases, resulting in increased costs.

[0006] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, and has as its object to provide a garbage collection vehicle that can solve the problems of conventional devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a garbage collection box mounted on a vehicle body, a garbage drop box connected to the garbage collection box and capable of receiving garbage, a garbage loading device provided in the garbage drop box and loading the received garbage into the garbage collection box, and an emergency stop device for bringing the garbage loading device to an emergency stop at any time, the emergency stop device having a support fixed to or slidably supported on the vehicle body, the garbage collection box or the garbage drop box, a movable relay supported on the support so as to be movable in a predetermined direction, and an operating member supported on the support so as to be movable in either a first direction or a second direction via the movable relay. In a garbage collection vehicle, the emergency stop device has first and second dogs attached to at least the operating member of the operating member and the movable relay, and a single sensor that can detect the proximity state of either the first or second dog when it approaches and can output the detection signal to the control device of the garbage loading device to be used for the emergency stop, and the first dog is positioned so as to approach the sensor as the operating member moves in the first direction, and the second dog is positioned so as to approach the sensor as the operating member moves in the second direction.

[0008] In addition to the first feature, the present invention has a second feature in that the first and second dogs are attached to at least the operating member out of the operating member and the movable relay body so that their attachment positions are adjustable.

[0009] In addition to the first or second feature, the present invention has a third feature in that a reflector is fixed to the operating member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to a first feature, the emergency stop device for a garbage loading device has first and second dogs attached to at least the operating member of the operating member and the movable relay, and a single sensor that can detect the proximity state of either the first or second dog when they approach and can output the detection signal to the garbage loading device control device, the first dog being positioned so as to approach the sensor as the operating member moves in a first direction, and the second dog being positioned so as to approach the sensor as the operating member moves in a second direction. As a result, even if the operating member is moved in either of two different directions, the single sensor can accurately detect the movement and bring the garbage loading device to an emergency stop, so the number of sensors required can be minimized (to one), which greatly contributes to simplifying the structure and reducing costs.

[0011] According to the second feature, the first and second dogs are attached to at least the operating member out of the operating member and the movable relay body in such a way that their attachment positions can be adjusted, making it possible to easily and accurately adjust the attachment positions, and therefore the relative positions of the first and second dogs to the sensor.

[0012] According to the third feature, since a reflector is fixed to the operating member, the operating member of the emergency stop device also serves as a support means for the reflector, which contributes to simplifying the structure. Furthermore, the reflector makes the presence and position of the operating member more noticeable, which is advantageous in terms of ensuring speed and reliability when operating the operating member in an emergency (especially at night). [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] Overall side view of a garbage collection vehicle according to the first embodiment [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a side view of a main part of a garbage loading device, showing the garbage dump box cut away; [Figure 3] 5A and 5B are side views of the emergency stop device (an enlarged side view of the portion viewed from the arrow 3X in FIG. 1 and a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3X-3X in FIG. 5), in which (A) shows the neutral (non-operated) state of the operating member, (B) shows the operating member in a forward (first direction) operated state, and (C) shows the operating member in a backward (second direction) operated state. [Figure 4] Rear view of the emergency stop device (enlarged view of the 4X arrow in Figure 1) [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the emergency stop device showing the operation member and the hinge portion of the relay arm (a partially cutaway enlarged rear view corresponding to FIG. 4). [Figure 6] Enlarged cross-sectional view of Figures 4 and 5 taken along line 6X-6X. [Figure 7] These are three-view diagrams showing the relay arm alone, where (a) is a front view (same orientation as in Fig. 5), (b) is a right side view (same orientation as in Fig. 3), and (c) is a plan view (same orientation as in Fig. 6). [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side view of an emergency stop device according to a second embodiment (corresponding to FIG. 3); [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a side view of a main part of a garbage loading device, showing a garbage bin according to a third embodiment in a cutaway view (corresponding to FIG. 2); [Figure 10] 4A and 4B are side views corresponding to FIG. 3, each showing a simplified emergency stop device according to a fourth embodiment, in which (A) shows the neutral (non-operated) state of the operating member, (B) shows the state in which the operating member is operated forward (first direction), and (C) shows the state in which the operating member is operated upward (second direction). [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are side views corresponding to FIG. 3 and illustrating the emergency stop device according to the fifth embodiment, in which (A) illustrates the neutral (non-operated) state of the operating member, (B) illustrates the state in which the operating member is operated forward (first direction), and (C) illustrates the state in which the operating member is operated upward (second direction). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In this specification, the terms "front" and "rear" refer to the front and rear of the refuse collection vehicle V as the reference.

[0015] 1 and 2, a garbage collection box 2 having an opening at its rear end is mounted on a body frame 1 which serves as the body of a garbage collection vehicle V. This garbage collection box 2 is pivotally supported 9 on the body frame 1 so that it can tilt, and can be tilted toward the rear of the vehicle by extending a tilting cylinder 3 which is connected between this garbage collection box 2 and the body frame 1. The outer periphery of the rear end of the garbage collection box 2 is reinforced by being edged with a stiffener 4.

[0016] A garbage drop box 5 having a garbage drop opening 6 on its rear end surface is connected to the rear end of the garbage collection box 2 so as to cover the rear opening of the garbage collection box 2, and this garbage drop box 5 is pivotally supported at the upper rear end of the garbage collection box 2 so as to be able to tilt. A fastening mechanism (not shown) that detachably fastens the garbage drop box 5 to the garbage collection box 2 is interposed between the lower rear end of the garbage collection box 2 and the lower front end of the garbage drop box 5. This fastening mechanism is released when the garbage collection box 2 is tilted rearward to discharge the stored garbage or when inspection and maintenance are performed, allowing the garbage drop box 5 to tilt relative to the garbage collection box 2.

[0017] A garbage loading device 10 is housed inside the garbage dump box 5. This garbage loading device 10 is equipped with a scraper plate 13 that can be rotated around a support shaft 12 by a rotary motor (not shown) in order to scrape up garbage dumped into the garbage dump box 5 from the bottom to the front upper part of the box 5, and a rotary plate-type pusher plate 15 that can be driven to swing back and forth around a support shaft 16 by a pusher cylinder 14 in order to push the garbage on the scraper plate 13 into the garbage storage box 2.

[0018] The lower edge of the garbage inlet 6 that opens into the rear end face of the garbage bin 5 is reinforced by a sturdy reinforcing frame 20. This reinforcing frame 20 extends linearly across the entire width of the garbage inlet 6 so as to frame the lower edge of the garbage inlet 6, and is fixed (for example, welded) to the lower rear end of the bottom wall of the garbage bin 5.

[0019] The garbage collection vehicle V is equipped with a control device (not shown) that controls the operation of the hydraulic control system of the garbage loading device 10 (specifically, a hydraulic control system that can drive the rotary motor that rotates the scraper plate 13 and the pushing cylinder 14 that swings the pushing plate 15), and an emergency stop device E that is connected to the control device and is used to bring the garbage loading device 10 to an emergency stop at any time.

[0020] Furthermore, the control device is capable of outputting an electrical operation control signal to the hydraulic control system of the garbage loading device 10 based on an operator's operation input to an operating device (not shown) (for example, an operation panel or remote control installed in an appropriate location on the vehicle), and is well known in the technical field of garbage collection vehicles.

[0021] 3 to 7, a specific example of the emergency stop device E will be described. Specifically, the emergency stop device E includes a support bracket 21 fixed to the reinforcing frame 20 of the garbage dump box 5, an intermediate arm A supported on the support bracket 21 via a first pivot P1 so as to be swingable back and forth, an operation bar B supported on the intermediate arm A via a second pivot P2 so as to be swingable back and forth and movable both forward (i.e., the first direction) and backward (i.e., the second direction), first and second dogs d1 and d2 attached to the operation bar B, and a single proximity sensor S capable of detecting the proximity state of either the first or second dog d1 or d2 when it approaches. The proximity sensor S can output its detection signal to the control device of the garbage loading device 10 so as to be used to bring the garbage loading device 10 to an emergency stop.

[0022] Thus, the support bracket 21 constitutes the support body of the present invention, the relay arm A constitutes the movable relay body of the present invention, the operation bar B constitutes the operation member of the present invention, and the proximity sensor S constitutes the sensor of the present invention.

[0023] There are a pair of left and right support brackets 21, each made of a box-shaped metal frame with a partially open bottom surface, and fixed (for example, by welding) at intervals on the left and right sides to the rear surface of the reinforcing frame 20. As is clear from Figures 5 and 6, both ends of the first pivot P1 are fitted into and supported by the left and right side walls 21s of each support bracket 21, and are also prevented from coming off and fixed in place by retaining members (for example, split pins, circlips, etc.).

[0024] The intermediate arm A comprises an upper arm Au formed in the shape of a fork with an open top and extending vertically, a band-like intermediate arm Am extending horizontally outward from the lower end of the upper arm Au, and a lower arm Ad extending downward from the outer end of the intermediate arm Am. The upper arm Au has a pair of left and right eye-shaped bearings Aue at its upper end into which the first pivot P1 is rotatably fitted, and the lower arm Ad has a bearing hole Adh at its lower end into which the second pivot P2 is rotatably fitted. As can be seen in Figure 7(a), the intermediate arm Am is gradually wider as it approaches the lower arm Ad, thereby increasing the connection strength with the lower arm Ad.

[0025] Most of the upper arm portion Au is housed within the support bracket 21 through the lower end opening 21o of the support bracket 21. An intermediate coil portion 31c of a first return spring 31 made of a torsion coil spring is fitted and supported on the outer periphery of the first pivot P1 midway between the left and right eye-shaped bearing portions Aue of this upper arm portion Au. In order to urge the relay arm A to swing rearward about the first pivot P1 by the elastic force of this first return spring 31 (i.e., urge it to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 3), an upper end portion 31u of the first return spring 31 is engaged with the upper wall 21u of the support bracket 21 and a lower end portion 31d is engaged with the inner surface of the upper arm portion Au of the relay arm A.

[0026] In particular, the first return spring 31 of this embodiment has an upper end 31u that extends substantially horizontally forward from the intermediate coil portion 31c and is vertically slidably sandwiched between a pair of left and right guide protrusions 21ut protruding from the underside of the upper wall 21u. Furthermore, the upper end 31u engages with the lower end of an adjustment screw 21b that is threaded into the upper wall 21u, and the engagement position moves up and down as the adjustment screw 21b is turned. Furthermore, the adjustment screw 21b has a groove at its upper end for tool engagement, so that the set load of the first return spring 21 can be adjusted as desired by turning the screw 21b to adjust its engagement position relative to the upper wall 21u in the vertical direction.

[0027] The screwed position is locked by a lock nut 21n that is screwed onto the adjustment screw 21b. The adjustment screw 21b and the lock nut 21n may be omitted.

[0028] In a neutral state (see FIG. 3A) in which no external force is applied to the relay arm A from the operation bar B, the rear surface of the upper arm portion Au is pressed against and engaged with the front end edge 21de of the lower wall 21d of the support bracket 21 (i.e., the rear end edge of the lower end opening 21o) by the rearward swinging biasing force that the arm A receives from the first return spring 31. Due to this engagement, the relay arm A is normally held in the neutral position shown in FIG. 3A by the elastic force of the first return spring 31.

[0029] The operation bar B is formed in a strip shape that is long from side to side along the reinforcing frame 20, and a reflector R is joined to its rear side. A pair of upper and lower forward flange portions Bf, Bf are integrally connected to the upper and lower end edges of the operation bar B, respectively.

[0030] The bases of a pair of left and right hinge brackets Bb, Bb are fixed (for example, welded) to the inner surface (front surface) of the operation bar B at left and right end portions thereof at positions corresponding to the lower arm portions Ad, Ad of the left and right relay arms A, A, respectively. Each hinge bracket Bb has a bearing hole Bbh that is aligned coaxially with the bearing hole Adh of the corresponding lower arm portion Ad, and a second pivot P2 is fitted into and supported by these bearing holes Adh, Bbh, Bbh so as to be relatively rotatable. Moreover, the second pivot P2 is secured to both hinge brackets Bb, Bb with retaining members (for example, split pins, circlips, etc.) to prevent it from coming off.

[0031] An intermediate coil portion 32c of a second return spring 32 made of a torsion coil spring is fitted onto and supported on the outer periphery of the second pivot P2. In order to urge the upper portion of the operation bar B to swing rearward around the second pivot P2 with the resilient force of this second return spring 32 (i.e., urge it to rotate clockwise in FIG. 3), the second return spring 32 has an upper end 32u engaged with the inner surface of the upper portion of the operation bar B, and a lower end 32d engaged with an upper surface recess of a horizontal spring receiving protrusion Adb connected to the lower end of the lower arm portion Ad.

[0032] Moreover, as is clear from Figures 3(A) and 5, in a neutral state where no external force is applied to the operation bar B, the upper rear surfaces Bs of the left and right ends of the operation bar B and the lower end Amb of the intermediate arm portion Am of the relay arm A are arranged so as to partially overlap (see also Figure 3(B)). Therefore, due to the clockwise rotational biasing force that the operation bar B receives from the second return spring 32, the upper rear surface Bs of the operation bar B is pressed against and engaged with the inner surface of the lower end Amb of the intermediate arm portion Am. Due to this engagement, the operation bar B is normally held in the neutral position shown in Figure 3(A) by the elastic force of the second return spring 32.

[0033] A dog member 40 having the first and second dogs d1, d2 protrudes from the center of the inner surface (front side surface) of the operation bar B. This dog member 40 is composed of a base frame 41 that is fixed (for example, welded) to the inner surface of the operation bar B and protrudes forward, and a front frame 42 that is bolted to the base frame 41. A crank portion that is L-shaped in side view is formed integrally with the front end of the front frame 42, and the base portion of the crank portion constitutes the first dog d1, and the upright portion that stands at a right angle from the base portion of the crank portion and protrudes forward constitutes the second dog d2.

[0034] A plurality of elongated holes 41h that are long in the front-to-rear direction are formed in the base frame 41. The tip frame 42 is fixed to the base frame 41 by a plurality of bolts 43 that pass through the elongated holes 41h and bolt holes in the tip frame 42 and by nuts 44 that screw onto the bolts 43. The fixed position of the tip frame 42 (and therefore the attachment positions of the first and second dogs d1, d2 relative to the operation bar B (operation member)) can be adjusted as desired within the range in which the bolts 43 can move within the elongated holes 41h when loosened.

[0035] Although the length direction of the elongated hole 41h is the front-to-rear direction in this embodiment, it can be changed to another direction (for example, the up-down direction or the diagonal front-to-rear direction). By appropriately adjusting the fixed position of the front frame 42 within the range in which the bolt 43 can move within the elongated hole 41h, it is possible to adjust the relative positions and attitudes of the first and second dogs d1, d2 in the front-to-rear and / or up-to-down directions with respect to the proximity sensor S, as will be described later.

[0036] Furthermore, a proximity sensor S is fixed via a sensor bracket 20b to the underside of the reinforcing frame 20 at a position corresponding to the dog member 40 (i.e., a position that can approach and face the first and second dogs d1, d2 without contacting them). This proximity sensor S is arranged so that, as is clear from Fig. 3(B), the first dog d1 approaches the dog detection portion Sa of the proximity sensor S as the operation bar B swings forward (first direction), and further, as is clear from Fig. 3(C), the second dog d2 approaches the dog detection portion Sa as the operation bar B swings backward (second direction).

[0037] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

[0038] When the garbage collection vehicle V arrives at the garbage collection site, the collected garbage is manually dumped into the garbage dump box 5 through the garbage dump port 6. At the same time, when the garbage loading device 10 is operated, the garbage dumped into the garbage dump box 5 is forcibly loaded into the garbage storage box 2, but during the loading work, a worker may need to make an emergency stop of the garbage loading device 10 for some reason, and this emergency stop is performed by swinging the operating bar B of the emergency stop device E forward or backward.

[0039] In normal times when no external force is applied to the operating bar B, the emergency stop device E of this embodiment is placed in the neutral state shown in Figure 3(A) (i.e., a state in which the relay arm A and the operating bar B are both held in their respective neutral positions by the elastic forces of the first and second return springs 31 and 32).

[0040] When the operation bar B is swung forward (in the first direction) from this neutral state, as is clear from FIG. 3(B), the upper rear surface of the operation bar B engages with the intermediate arm portion Am (lower end portion Amb) of the relay arm A, holding the operation bar B in a neutral position relative to the relay arm A, while the relay arm A swings forward from its neutral position relative to the support bracket 21 (i.e., the position in FIG. 3(A)). As a result, the operation bar B swings forward integrally with the relay arm A about the first pivot P1, and the first dog d1 of the dog member 40, which swings following the operation bar B, approaches the detection portion Sa of the proximity sensor S. The proximity sensor S, detecting this proximity state, outputs a detection signal to a control device (not shown) of the garbage loading device 10. Therefore, the control device can completely stop the garbage loading device 10, i.e., perform an emergency stop.

[0041] In contrast, when the operation bar B is swung backward (in the second direction) from the neutral state shown in FIG. 3(A), as is clear from FIG. 3(C), the rear surface of the upper arm portion Au of the relay arm A engages with the lower wall 21d (front end edge 21de) of the support bracket 21, so that the relay arm A is held in a neutral position (i.e., the position shown in FIG. 3(A)) relative to the support bracket 21, while the operation bar B swings backward from its neutral position relative to the relay arm A about the second pivot P2. As a result, the operation bar B swings in a bent manner relative to the relay arm A (i.e., the lower half swings backward), so that the second dog d2 of the dog member 40, which swings following the operation bar B, approaches the detection portion Sa of the proximity sensor S. The proximity sensor S, detecting this proximity state, outputs a detection signal to a control device (not shown) of the garbage loading device 10. Therefore, the control device can completely stop the garbage loading device 10, i.e., perform an emergency stop.

[0042] As described above, in the first embodiment, the emergency stop device E of the garbage loading device 10 has first and second dogs d1, d2 attached to at least the operation bar B of the operation bar B and the relay arm A, and a single proximity sensor S that can detect the proximity state of either the first or second dog d1, d2 when it approaches, and can output the detection signal to the control device of the garbage loading device 10 for use in emergency stopping of the garbage loading device 10, and the first dog d1 is positioned so as to approach the proximity sensor S as the operation bar B swings forward (first direction), and the second dog d2 is positioned so as to approach the proximity sensor S as the operation bar B swings backward (second direction). For example, in a side view, the first dog d1 is located on an imaginary circle centered on the first pivot axis P1 and passing through the dog detection portion Sa of the proximity sensor S, and the second dog d2 is located on an imaginary circle centered on the second pivot axis P2 and passing through the dog detection portion Sa when the relay arm A is held in a neutral position relative to the support bracket 21 (i.e., in the position shown in Figures 3(A)(C)).

[0043] As a result, regardless of whether the operating bar B is swung in the different first or second direction (i.e., forward or backward), the movement can be accurately detected by a single proximity sensor S and the garbage loading device 10 can be stopped in an emergency, so the number of proximity sensors S installed can be minimized (to one), simplifying the structure and reducing costs.

[0044] In addition, the first and second dogs d1, d2 are attached to the operating bar B of the embodiment in an adjustable manner, making it possible to easily and accurately adjust the relative positions of the first and second dogs d1, d2 with respect to the single proximity sensor S.

[0045] Furthermore, since the reflector R is fixed to the operation bar B in the embodiment, the operation bar B of the emergency stop device E also serves as a support means for the reflector R, thereby simplifying the structure. Also, by providing the reflector R specifically on the operation bar B, the existence and position of the operation bar B can be made more noticeable by the reflector R, which is advantageous in terms of ensuring speed and reliability of operation when operating the operation bar B in an emergency (especially at night).

[0046] FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the configuration of the first and second dogs d1, d2 provided on the dog member 24 (particularly the front frame 42). That is, in the first embodiment, the strip-shaped second dog d2 extends from the upper end of the first dog d1, which is formed as a flat portion with a wide vertical width, at a right angle. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the second dog d2, which is triangular in side view, extends from the upper end of the first dog d1, which is formed as a flat portion with a narrow vertical width, with its lower edge rising obliquely. This second embodiment can also achieve essentially the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0047] Next, a third embodiment in which a compression plate type pusher plate 115 is used in a garbage loading device 110 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0048] The garbage loading device 110 housed in the garbage dump box 5 comprises a sliding member 111 that can slide up and down, a lifting cylinder 112 that is connected between the sliding member 111 and the upper part of the garbage dump box 5 to slide the sliding member 111, a compression plate type push plate 115 that is supported by the lower part of the sliding member 111 and can slide up and down, and a push cylinder 113 that is connected between the push plate 115 and the sliding member 111.

[0049] In this third embodiment as well, a reinforcing frame 20 is provided along the rear end of the bottom wall of the garbage bin 5, which is along the lower edge of the garbage inlet 6, and an emergency stop device E similar to the emergency stop device E of the first embodiment is attached to this reinforcing frame 20. Therefore, this third embodiment can also achieve basically the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0050] 10 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the previous embodiment, a support bracket 21 serving as a support body is fixed to a reinforcing frame 20 that reinforces the lower edge of the trash inlet 6 of the trash bin 5, and the operation bar B serving as an operation member can be moved in first and second directions by utilizing the swinging of two swinging members (i.e., relay arm A and operation bar B). In the fourth embodiment, the support bracket 21 is supported on the reinforcing frame 20 so as to be slidable in a predetermined direction (e.g., vertically) within a limited sliding range. The operation bar B (operation member) is fixed to an relay arm A (movable relay body) that is swingably supported on the support bracket 21 (support body) via a first pivot P1 so as to swing integrally with the relay arm A. A slider 21a fixed to the front end of the support bracket 21 is engaged with and supported by a guide rail G fixed to the reinforcing frame 20 so as to be capable of sliding only vertically (and therefore unable to derail).

[0051] In this fourth embodiment, in the neutral state shown in Fig. 10(A), the support bracket 21 is resiliently held at a lower limit position on the guide rail G (this lower limit position is determined by a lower limit stopper Gs) by a second return spring 32', and the relay arm A is resiliently held at a neutral position (see Fig. 10(A)) relative to the support bracket 21 by a first return spring and stopper mechanism (not shown). Note that the first return spring and stopper mechanism of this fourth embodiment can employ structures similar to those of the first return spring 31 and the stopper mechanism for the relay arm A (the engagement mechanism between the rear surface of the upper arm portion Au and the front end edge 21de of the lower wall 21d) of the first embodiment.

[0052] 10(B), when the operation bar B (operating member) of the fourth embodiment is swung forward (in a first direction) from the neutral state with a foot or the like against the first return spring, the first dog d1 approaches the dog detection portion Sa of the proximity sensor S, and this approach causes the sensor S to output a detection signal. On the other hand, when the operation bar B (operating member) is pushed upward (in a second direction) from the neutral state with a foot or the like against the second return spring 32' to slide the support bracket 21 upward, the second dog d2 approaches the dog detection portion Sa, and this approach causes the proximity sensor S to output a detection signal. In this case, as in the first embodiment, the first dog d1 is positioned on a virtual circle centered on the first pivot axis P1 and passing through the dog detection section Sa of the proximity sensor S in a side view, while the second dog d2 is positioned on a virtual straight line passing through the dog detection section Sa in a side view and parallel to the sliding direction of the support bracket 21.

[0053] 11 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, the support bracket 21 is slidably supported on the reinforcing frame 20, and the operation bar B is fixed to an intermediate arm A pivotally supported on the support bracket 21 for swinging motion. In the fifth embodiment, the support bracket 21 (support body) is fixed to the reinforcing frame 20 as in the first embodiment, and the upper part of the operation bar B (operating member) is vertically slidably fitted and supported on the lower part of the intermediate arm A (movable intermediate body) pivotally supported on the support bracket 21 via a first pivot P1 for swinging motion back and forth. The operation bar B has a bar main body Bm extending in the left-right direction and a plurality of rod portions Ba integrally erected at the upper part of the bar main body Bm at intervals on the left and right. Meanwhile, the lower part of the intermediate arm A has a cylinder portion Ac with an open lower end. The enlarged head of the rod portion Ba is fitted and held in the cylinder portion Ac for vertical sliding motion within a predetermined limited sliding stroke range.

[0054] In the fifth embodiment, a second return spring 32" that resiliently resiliently retracts between the relay arm A (cylinder portion Ac) and the operation bar B (head portion of rod portion Ba) is compressed and resilient in a direction separating them from each other, and this second return spring 32" resiliently holds the operation bar B at its lower limit relative to the relay arm A in the neutral state shown in FIG. 11(A). The relay arm A is resiliently held in the neutral position (see FIG. 11(A)) by a first return spring and stopper mechanism (not shown) relative to the support bracket 21. The first return spring and stopper mechanism of the fifth embodiment can also have the same structure as the first return spring 31 and the stopper mechanism for the relay arm A of the first embodiment.

[0055] As can be seen in Figure 11(B), when the operating bar B (operating member) of this fifth embodiment is swung forward (in the first direction) from the neutral position with a foot or the like against the first return spring, the first dog d1 approaches the dog detection portion Sa of the proximity sensor S, and this approach causes the sensor S to output a detection signal. On the other hand, as is clear from FIG. 11(C), when the operation bar B (operating member) is pushed upward (in the second direction) from the neutral state with a foot or the like against the second return spring 32" and the head of the rod portion Ba slides upward inside the cylinder portion Ac while the operation bar B is moved upward, the second dog d2 approaches the dog detection portion Sa of the proximity sensor S, and this approach causes the sensor S to output a detection signal. In this case, as in the first embodiment, the first dog d1 is located on an imaginary circle that has the first pivot axis P1 as its center and passes through the dog detection portion Sa of the proximity sensor S in a side view, but the second dog d2 is located on an imaginary straight line that passes through the dog detection portion Sa in a side view and is parallel to the sliding direction of the rod portion Ba.

[0056] Thus, according to the fourth and fifth embodiments described above, regardless of whether the operating bar B is moved in the different first or second direction (i.e., forward or upward), the movement can be accurately detected by a single proximity sensor S and the garbage loading device 10 can be stopped in an emergency, so the number of proximity sensors S installed can be minimized (to one), thereby simplifying the structure and reducing costs.

[0057] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various embodiments can be implemented within the scope of the present invention.

[0058] For example, in the above embodiment, the first and second dogs d1, d2 are formed integrally with one member (i.e., the front frame 42 of the dog member 40) to form a single component, but in the present invention, the first and second dogs may be formed as separate, independent components (i.e., separate components).

[0059] In addition, in the above embodiment, the first and second dogs d1, d2 are both attached to the operation bar B (operation member), but either one of the first and second dogs d1, d2 may be attached to the operation bar B and the other may be attached to the relay arm A (movable relay body).

[0060] In the first embodiment, the first direction in which the operation bar B as an operation member is moved is the forward direction, and the second direction is the backward direction. However, the first and second directions of the present invention are not limited to the embodiment, and may be two different directions in various directions including up and down, left and right (vehicle width direction, left and right in FIG. 4), and front and rear.

[0061] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, an example was given in which the swinging of two swinging members (i.e., the relay arm A and the operating bar B) was utilized to move the operating bar B as an operating member in the first and second directions. However, in the present invention, in order to enable the operating bar B to be moved in the vertical direction (second direction), for example, a support bracket 21 (support body) may be supported on the reinforcing frame 20 so that it can slide up and down, as in the fourth embodiment (FIG. 10), or the operating bar B (operating member) may be fitted and supported so that it can slide up and down in an relay arm A (movable relay body) that is swingably supported on a support bracket 21 fixed to the reinforcing frame 20 via a pivot P1, as in the fifth embodiment (FIG. 11). Alternatively, as a modified example of the fifth embodiment, for example, the relay arm A (movable relay body) pivotally supported P1 on the support bracket 21 fixed to the reinforcing frame 20 may itself be configured to be extendable and contractible (i.e., configured as a separate configuration consisting of a pair of upper and lower arm halves that slidably fit together), with the second return spring 32'' compressed and installed between the two arm halves, and the operation bar B fixed to the lower arm half.

[0062] Furthermore, in the fourth and fifth embodiments, the sliding direction of the support bracket 21 (support body) or the operation bar B (operation member) is the up-down direction, and the swinging direction of the relay arm A (movable relay) is the front-rear direction, but the sliding and swinging directions are not limited to those in the fourth and fifth embodiments. For example, as another modification of the fourth and fifth embodiments, the sliding direction of the support bracket 21 (support body) relative to the reinforcing frame 20 or the sliding direction of the operation bar B (operation member) relative to the relay arm A (movable relay) may be the front-rear direction, and the swinging direction of the relay arm A (movable relay) may be the up-down direction.

[0063] Furthermore, as another variation of the fourth and fifth embodiments, the sliding direction of the support bracket 21 (support body) relative to the reinforcing frame 20, or the sliding direction of the operation bar B (operating member) relative to the relay arm A (movable relay) may be set to the front-to-back direction (or the up-to-down direction), while the relay arm A (movable relay) may also be slidably attached to the support bracket 21 and its sliding direction may also be set to the up-to-down direction (or the front-to-back direction).

[0064] In addition, in the above embodiment, the support bracket 21 as a support body is fixed to or slidably supported on the reinforcing frame 20 that reinforces the lower edge of the garbage inlet 6 of the garbage bin 5, but the support bracket 21 may be fixed to or slidably supported on a part of the garbage bin 5 other than the reinforcing frame 20, or may be fixed to or slidably supported on the garbage storage box 2 or the vehicle frame 1.

[0065] In addition, in the above embodiments, a rotating plate type (first and second embodiments) garbage loading device 10 or a compression plate type (third embodiment) garbage loading device 110 is exemplified as the garbage loading device, but the present invention may also be implemented as an emergency stop device for other types of garbage loading devices as long as the garbage loaded into the garbage loading box 5 can be pushed into the garbage storage box 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] A: Relay arm as a movable relay B. Operating bar as an operating member d1, d2: 1st and 2nd dogs E...Emergency stop device R·····Reflector S... Proximity sensor as a sensor V····· Refuse collection vehicle 1. Body frame as the vehicle body 2. Garbage collection box 5... Garbage disposal box 10. Garbage loading device (rotating plate type: first embodiment) 21. Support bracket as support 110 Garbage loading device (compression plate type: third embodiment)

Claims

[Claim 1] The vehicle comprises a garbage storage box (2) mounted on a vehicle body (1), a garbage drop box (5) connected to the garbage storage box (2) and capable of throwing garbage therein, a garbage loading device (10, 110) provided in the garbage drop box (5) for loading the thrown-in garbage into the garbage storage box (2), and an emergency stop device (E) for bringing the garbage loading device (10, 110) to an emergency stop at any time, the emergency stop device (E). A garbage collection vehicle having a support (21) fixed to or slidably supported on the vehicle body (1), the garbage collection box (2) or the garbage dump box (5), a movable relay body (A) supported on the support body (21) so as to be movable in a predetermined direction, and an operating member (B) supported on the support body (21) so as to be movable in either a first direction or a second direction via the movable relay body (A), The emergency stop device (E) comprises first and second dogs (d1, d2) attached to at least the operating member (B) of the operating member (B) and the movable relay body (A), and a single sensor (S) capable of detecting the proximity state of either the first or second dog (d1, d2) when the first or second dog (d1, d2) approaches, and capable of outputting the detection signal to the control device of the garbage loading device (10, 110) to be used for the emergency stop; A garbage collection vehicle characterized in that the first dog (d1) is positioned so as to approach the sensor (S) as the operating member (B) moves in the first direction, and the second dog (d2) is positioned so as to approach the sensor (S) as the operating member (B) moves in the second direction.

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