garbage collection truck

Abstract

To provide a garbage collection vehicle allowing safe and easy opening / closing of an opening / closing tail gate, even when disconnection occurs.SOLUTION: An opening / closing mechanism 39 has an electromagnetic clutch 46 disposed between an electric motor 11 with the electromagnetic clutch and a charging port cover 8. A garbage charging box 5 has opening / closing switches 37, 38 of the charging port cover, and an electromagnetic clutch change-over switch 45 changing over on / off of the electromagnetic clutch. When the electromagnetic clutch is switched on by the electromagnetic clutch change-over switch, a control part validates the opening / closing switches and the electric motor 11 with the electromagnetic clutch is automatically activated by operation of the opening / closing switches, meanwhile when the opening / closing switches are not operated, the charging port cover is controlled to stop on the spot by action of the electromagnetic clutch, and when the electromagnetic clutch is switched off by the electromagnetic clutch change-over switch, the opening / closing switches are invalidly controlled by the control part, while the charging port cover is configured to be manually openable / closable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a refuse collection vehicle, and more particularly to an automatic opening and closing structure for a refuse inlet cover thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a garbage collection vehicle that includes a garbage collection box mounted on a chassis, a garbage drop box connected to the rear opening of the garbage collection box and having a garbage drop opening through which garbage is dropped, a garbage loading device mounted on the garbage drop box and loading garbage into the garbage collection box, and a drop opening cover that slides to open and close the garbage drop opening.Among this type of garbage collection vehicle, there is known one that can open and close the drop opening cover using an electric motor or a hydraulic cylinder, as in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-202887 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Book Departure Ming The aim is When contact between objects occurs, Securely close the tailgate Totally The purpose is to make it possible to open and close it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides: Contact sensor at the bottom of the inlet cover was established.

[0006] Specifically, in the first invention, A garbage collection vehicle comprising: a garbage drop box provided on a vehicle chassis and having a garbage drop opening formed therein through which garbage is dropped; a drop opening cover provided on the garbage drop box and configured to open and close the garbage drop opening by sliding up and down between a fully closed position at the bottom end and a fully open position at the top end; an opening / closing mechanism having a drive actuator for moving the drop opening cover up and down between the fully closed position and the fully open position; and a control unit for controlling the opening / closing mechanism, wherein a contact sensor for detecting contact of an object is provided at the bottom end of the drop opening cover, and the control unit is configured to, once an opening / closing switch for the drop opening cover is operated, slide the drop opening cover up and down using the drive actuator to fully open or fully close the drop opening cover unless a detection signal is received from the contact sensor, but restrict movement of the drop opening cover when a detection signal is received from the contact sensor while the drop opening cover is being moved to the fully closed position. It was configured as follows.

[0007] In the second invention, in the first invention, When a detection signal is received from the contact sensor while the insertion slot cover is being moved to the fully closed position, the insertion slot cover is moved in the opening direction and then stopped from moving. Control.

[0008] In the third invention, in the second invention, When a detection signal is received from the contact sensor, the contact sensor moves in the opening direction for a predetermined time. Control.

[0009] In the fourth invention , th In the invention of 3, The detection signal input from the contact sensor to the control unit is set to be the same when the contact sensor detects an object and when the signal line between the control unit and the contact sensor is broken, and the control unit controls the open / close switch to be disabled while receiving the detection signal.

[0010] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, The contact sensor is covered by an outer casing that protrudes downward from the lower end of the inlet cover, and the garbage inlet box is provided with a lower sensor that detects when the inlet cover has moved to a predetermined position before the fully closed position, and the control unit determines whether the fully closed state has been reached based on the detection by the lower sensor.

[0011] As described above, according to the present invention, , throw Entrance cover Contact sensor at the bottom By establishing Contact between objects occurs Even when opening and closing the tailgate safely Totally It can be opened and closed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1A] 1 is a perspective view of the automatic opening and closing device for the insertion port cover and its surroundings, viewed from the front upper right side. FIG. [Figure 1B] 10 is a perspective view of the automatic opening and closing device for the insertion port cover and its surroundings, seen from another position on the upper front left side. FIG. [Figure 2A] 1 is a side view showing a garbage collection vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a drive motor and its surroundings. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of the automatic opening and closing device for the insertion port cover and its surroundings, viewed from the upper rear left side. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the drive motor and its surroundings from the upper rear left side. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the garbage bin. [Figure 7] 10 is a side view showing the link mechanism of the insertion port cover and its surroundings. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a side view showing a partially cutaway rear side of a refuse collection vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing automatic control of opening and closing the insertion port cover. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a simplified electrical circuit diagram showing a PLC and its surroundings. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a simplified hydraulic circuit diagram of the garbage loading device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] -Configuration of garbage collection truck- 2A and 2B show a refuse collection vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the refuse collection vehicle 1 comprising a travellable chassis 2, a driver's cab 3 and a refuse collection box 4 provided on the chassis 2, a refuse drop box 5 connected to the rear opening 4a of the refuse collection box 4 and having a refuse drop opening 7 through which refuse is dropped, a refuse loading device 6 (see FIG. 6) provided on the refuse drop box 5 for loading refuse into the refuse collection box 4, and a drop opening cover 8 which opens and closes the refuse drop opening 7 by sliding between a fully open position A and a fully closed position B (see FIG. 6). A drop opening table 80 is provided at the lower edge of the refuse drop opening 7 extending in the width direction of the vehicle, which extends along almost the entire lower edge of the refuse drop opening 7 and is capable of rising and falling in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. In addition, a discharge plate that can slide back and forth may be provided inside the garbage storage box 4, the garbage drop box 5 may be configured to be able to rotate around an upper pivot axis to open and close the rear opening 4a, or the garbage storage box 4 may be configured to be tiltable, but in the following explanation, hydraulic cylinders and the like in such cases will be omitted.

[0015] 6 and 8, the garbage loading device 6 of this embodiment is, for example, a press-type device, and guide groove members 20 made of channel steel are provided on both side walls 9 of the garbage bin 5, also serving as reinforcing frames, sloping from the upper front to the lower rear. A lifting plate 21 is housed within the garbage bin 5, spanning its entire width. Meanwhile, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 7, a lifting plate support shaft 21a is inserted into support portions provided on the left and right ends of the upper back surface of the lifting plate 21. This lifting plate support shaft 21a is positioned so that it protrudes outward from the inside of the side wall 9 beyond a sliding opening 22 formed in the side wall 9 of the garbage bin 5, matching the sliding distance of the lifting plate 21. A lifting cylinder 23 is provided outside the garbage bin 5 along the inclination direction of the guide groove member 20 and is connected between the lifting plate support shaft 21a protruding outward from the side wall of the garbage bin 5 and the lower part of the garbage bin 5. The extension and contraction of this lifting cylinder 23 causes the lifting plate 21 to reciprocate up and down along the guide groove member 20.

[0016] One end of a compression plate 24, which extends across the entire width of the garbage bin 5, is supported at the lower end of the lifting plate 21 so that it can swing back and forth. The tip of this compression plate 24 is slightly bent forward. A swinging cylinder 25 is connected between a connecting part protruding from the back of the compression plate 24 and a support part provided on the upper back of the lifting plate 21, and the compression plate 24 swings back and forth by the extension and contraction of this swinging cylinder 25. The garbage loading device 6 may also be a rotary plate type equipped with a push plate that rotates back and forth by a hydraulic cylinder and a rotary plate that is rotated.

[0017] 1B, the slot cover 8 has a generally rectangular plate shape, and is slidable up and down between a fully closed position and a fully open position by rollers 8a provided on both the left and right ends moving along rail members 8b provided on the inside of the left and right side walls 9. The slot cover 8 can be opened and closed automatically or manually by an opening / closing mechanism 39.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2B, an edge switch 70 is provided at the bottom of the slot cover 8 as a contact sensor that detects contact with an object. Although not shown in detail, the edge switch 70 is, for example, a four-wire type with a disconnection detection capability, and covers almost the entire bottom end of the slot cover 8. The tape switch is covered with an outer sheath made of PVC, EPDM, or the like, and is attached to a rigid aluminum channel to ensure rigidity and waterproofness. The rigid aluminum channel is attached to the bottom of the slot cover 8, and the flexible outer sheath abuts against the tip of the slot table 80 when it is upright.

[0019] The opening / closing mechanism 39 will be described below. As shown in Fig. 7, the tip of a plate-shaped link member 40 is rotatably connected to a rod-shaped vehicle width direction end 8c that protrudes in the vehicle width direction at the upper end of the insertion port cover 8. The tip of an outer arm portion 41 is rotatably connected to the other end of the link member 40 by an arm connecting pin 41a. The base end side of the outer arm portion 41 is rotatably supported at a position that overlaps with the lifting cylinder 23 in a side view.

[0020] The outer arm portion 41 includes a pipe member 42 on the base end side, and a plate member 43 whose base end side is fixed to the tip of the pipe member 42 and whose tip side is rotatably connected to the base end side of the link member 40. The pipe member 42 is made of, for example, a steel pipe, and is bent rearward at a middle portion in a side view, with the tip side further bent toward the side wall 9 (inward in the vehicle width direction). The plate member 43 is made of, for example, a pair of steel plates in the vehicle width direction, and is fixed to the pipe member 42 by welding or the like. The link member 40 is rotatable between the pair of steel plates.

[0021] The base end side of the outer arm portion 41 is rotatably connected to an arm mounting bracket 44 provided on the side wall 9 between the lifting cylinder 23 and the garbage inlet 7. The arm mounting bracket 44 has, for example, a truncated pyramid 44a whose base end is fixed to the side wall 9, and as shown in FIG. 4, the tip of this truncated pyramid 44a extends further outward in the vehicle width direction than the lifting cylinder 23 and is integrally provided with a plate-shaped tip portion 44b. As shown in FIG. 7, the plate-shaped tip portion 44b extends forward and downward to a position where it overlaps with the piston rod 23a of the lifting cylinder 23 in a side view, and this tip portion 44b is rotatably connected to the base end side of the pipe member 42.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 8, above the garbage loading device 6 in the garbage bin 5, a crossbar 10 is provided connecting the left and right side walls 9 of the garbage bin 5. "Above the garbage loading device 6" means the space above the garbage loading device 6, and a part of the garbage loading device 6 (for example, a part of the lifting cylinder 23) may be located higher than the crossbar 10 in a side view. The crossbar 10 is made of, for example, a steel pipe having a certain thickness to maintain rigidity, but may also be made of a steel bar.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 5, an electromagnetic clutch-equipped electric motor 11, which serves as a drive actuator and is made up of an electric motor or the like, is fixed to the right of the center of the left-right extending crossbar 10 when viewed from the rear. Power for the electromagnetic clutch-equipped electric motor 11 is supplied, for example, from a battery 61 (see FIG. 10) on the chassis 2 side. As also shown in FIG. 5, a drive pulley 11b is provided on an output shaft 11a of the electromagnetic clutch-equipped electric motor 11 so as to rotate integrally with the output shaft 11a. The electromagnetic clutch-equipped electric motor 11 is fixed to the crossbar 10 via a motor mounting bracket 11c. A transmission belt 12, which serves as a power transmission member, is looped around the drive pulley 11b. Meanwhile, as also shown in FIG. 1B, a driven pulley 13a is rotatably supported above the drive pulley 11b on the upper side of the garbage loading device 6 via an upper support part 13 that has a built-in bearing. The driven pulley 13a is provided at a position offset to either the left or right from the center of the left and right side walls 9 (on the left side as viewed from the front in FIG. 1B). The upper end of the transmission belt 12 is looped around this driven pulley 13a. In this way, the transmission belt 12 extends vertically and is driven by the electromagnetic clutch-equipped electric motor 11 between the drive pulley 11b and the driven pulley 13a.

[0024] The opening / closing mechanism 39 has an electromagnetic clutch 46 interposed between the electric motor 11 with an electromagnetic clutch and the insertion port cover 8. The electromagnetic clutch 46 is configured to be able to switch between connecting and disconnecting power by utilizing the electromagnetic force generated by passing current through a coil. The operation of the electromagnetic clutch 46 will be described in detail later.

[0025] One end 14a of the inner arm portion 14 is rotatably connected to the transmission belt 12. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, an upper arm support portion 14d is provided on a fixed portion 14c fixed to a predetermined position of the transmission belt 12, and one end 14a of the inner arm portion 14 is rotatably supported by this upper arm support portion 14d. Meanwhile, the other end 14b of the inner arm portion 14 is rotatably connected to a lower arm support portion 14e provided on the upper end side of the insertion slot cover 8. As shown in FIG. 1B, the lower arm support portion 14e is fixed to an arm mounting bracket 8d with a U-shaped cross section of the insertion slot cover 8. This allows the inner arm portion 14 to move up and down in accordance with the drive of the transmission belt 12.

[0026] That is, by controlling the electric motor 11 with an electromagnetic clutch to drive the transmission belt 12, the inner arm portion 14 moves up and down, thereby causing the inlet cover 8 to slide between the fully open position A and the fully closed position B shown in Figure 7, thereby opening and closing the garbage inlet 7.

[0027] FIG. 10 is a control circuit diagram of the refuse collection vehicle 1. The refuse collection vehicle 1 is equipped with a PLC 66 as a control unit that controls the operation of the actuators of the refuse loading device 6 and the refuse discharge mechanism (not shown). The opening / closing mechanism 39, including the electromagnetic clutch-equipped electric motor 11, is controlled by the PLC 66 and the control board 16. As shown in simplified form in FIG. 10, the PLC 66 is a programmable logic controller, and its program can be rewritten as needed. Power is supplied to the PLC 66 by a battery 61 shown in the upper left of FIG. 10. The control board 16 includes, for example, a microcomputer and a DAC. DAC, which stands for "Digital Analog Converter" and is also called a "D / A converter," refers to a circuit or component that converts digital signals to analog signals. The control board 16 is connected to a driver board 17, which is electrically connected to the electromagnetic clutch-equipped electric motor 11.

[0028] 1A and 1B, an upper sensor 18 and a lower sensor 19 are provided inside the garbage bin 5 to detect when the inlet cover 8 moves to the fully open position A or to the front of the fully closed position B. As will be described in detail later, the lower sensor 19 is provided near the crossbar 10, slightly above the upper edge of the garbage bin 7. The upper sensor 18 is provided inside the garbage bin 5 near the top end.

[0029] Meanwhile, a vertically extending plate-like detectable plate 26 is provided on the top edge of the insertion port cover 8 at a position corresponding to the upper sensor 18 and the lower sensor 19. When this detectable plate 26 moves near the upper sensor 18 and the lower sensor 19, its presence is detected. The vertical length of the detectable plate 26 can be set according to the height of the insertion port cover 8 that is to be detected by the upper sensor 18 and the lower sensor 19.

[0030] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 1B, upper sensor 18 is fixed to the upper side of trash bin 5 via upper sensor mounting bracket 18a so as to detect detected plate 26 a predetermined position before inlet cover 8 is fully opened at fully open position A. As shown in Fig. 1A, the vertical position of upper sensor 18 can be finely adjusted using elongated hole 18b of upper sensor mounting bracket 18a. Also, lower sensor 19 is attached to crossbar 10 via lower sensor mounting bracket 19a so as to detect detected plate 26 a predetermined position before inlet cover 8 is fully closed at fully closed position B. As shown in Fig. 5, the position of lower sensor 19 can also be finely adjusted using elongated hole 19b of lower sensor mounting bracket 19a.

[0031] Next, the input / output state to / from the PLC 66 that controls the garbage loading device 6 and the like will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 6, 8, 10 and 11. FIG.

[0032] Various operation switches are provided on the front operation unit 28 in the driver's cab 3 of the garbage collection vehicle 1 and on the rear operation unit 27 of the garbage bin 5. The operation switches include an emergency stop switch 36, a loading switch 31 for the garbage loading device 6, a lowering switch 32, an ascending switch 33, and a reversing switch 34. The garbage bin 5 is also provided with an emergency stop plate switch 50. Furthermore, the rear operation unit 27 is provided with a switch for opening and closing the inlet cover 8.

[0033] 6, the left and right side walls 9 of the trash bin 5, which is covered with the side cover 9a, are provided with a storage box for the control board 16 and an electromagnetic clutch changeover switch 45 that is attached to the storage box via a bracket and switches the electromagnetic clutch 46 on and off. Because it is covered with the openable side cover 9a, the presence of the electromagnetic clutch changeover switch 45 is not easily noticed by third parties such as passersby.

[0034] The PLC 66 is electrically connected to a main power switch 30 which, when in the OFF state, disables all signals from the open / close switches 37, 38. This main power switch 30, not shown in detail, is provided in the front operation unit 28. By providing the main power switch 30 inside the driver's cab 3 so that it cannot be freely operated from outside the vehicle, it is possible to prevent people other than the operator from accessing the inside of the refuse inlet 7 when the operator is not performing loading work, thereby ensuring safety. In addition, the front operation unit 28 may be provided with a lamp that indicates that the electromagnetic clutch-equipped electric motor 11 is operating and a lamp that indicates errors such as a broken wire.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 6, the trash bin 5 is provided with a contactless switch LS1 that detects the fully extended state of the lift cylinder 23 that raises and lowers the lift plate 21, a contactless switch LS2 that detects the fully retracted state of the lift cylinder 23, a contactless switch LS4 that detects the fully extended state of the swing cylinder 25 that swings the compression plate 24, and a contactless switch LS3 that detects the fully retracted state of the swing cylinder 25. The contactless switches LS1 and LS2 are each provided with a detector on one side and a detectable object on the other side between the trash bin 5 and the lift cylinder 23, and are adapted for switching operation. The contactless switches LS3 and LS4 are each provided with a detector on one side and a detectable object on the other side between the lift plate 21 and the swing cylinder 25, and are adapted for switching operation. The contactless switches LS1 to LS4 correspond to sensors that detect the operation of the lift cylinder 23 and the swing cylinder 25, and have the function of sending a detection signal of the operation to the PLC 66. These non-contact switches LS1 to LS4, upper sensor 18 and lower sensor 19 may be, for example, photoelectric switches, proximity switches or the like.

[0036] As shown in a simplified hydraulic circuit diagram in Figure 11, this hydraulic circuit is composed of a hydraulic pump P, an oil reservoir T, an electromagnetic control valve V1 that controls the extension and retraction of the lift cylinder 23, an electromagnetic control valve V2 that controls the extension and retraction of the swing cylinder 25, and the like. The driving force of a vehicle engine (not shown) is transmitted to the hydraulic pump P via a PTO (power take-off). The electromagnetic control valves V1 and V2 are, for example, 6-port 3-position electromagnetic directional control valves. The electromagnetic control valve V1 has solenoids SOLa and SOLb, and the electromagnetic control valve V2 has solenoids SOLc and SOLd. The electromagnetic control valves V1 and V2 switch to the upper or lower position only when their respective solenoids are energized, and return to the neutral position when they are not energized.

[0037] An ignition switch 62, a PTO switch 63, a relay coil 64, etc. are disposed on a current line K2 that extends from the positive terminal of the battery 61 to the right side in FIG. 10 and reaches the ground line K1.

[0038] In addition, the upstream end of the current supply line K3 is connected so as to branch off from the current supply line K2 midway between the battery 61 and the ignition switch 62, and a relay switch 65 corresponding to the relay coil 64 is interposed on the upstream side (the side closer to the battery 61).

[0039] The downstream end of the current-carrying line K3 is connected to an edge switch 70, an electromagnetic clutch changeover switch 45, and an electromagnetic clutch-equipped drive motor 11. The control board 16 is connected to a PLC 66, and is capable of transmitting and receiving operation signals to and from the PLC 66.

[0040] Additionally, the upstream end of the current supply line K4 is connected to the current supply line K3 at a position downstream of the relay switch 65. A plurality of current supply lines are provided that branch off from the current supply line K4 and input to the PLC 66, and one of these current supply lines is provided with a lift position sensor 10e that detects the lift position of the lift plate 21.

[0041] A loading / unloading selector switch 51 is provided at the downstream end of the current supply line K4. The upstream end of the current supply line K5 is connected to the loading side contact of the loading / unloading selector switch 51. A plurality of current supply lines are provided that branch off from the current supply line K5 and input to the PLC 66, and a loading switch 31, a lowering switch 32, an ascending switch 33, a reversing switch 34, an emergency stop switch 36, and an emergency stop plate switch 50 are interposed on each current supply line.

[0042] The upstream end of the current supply line K6 is connected to the current supply line K2 between the ignition switch 62 and the PTO switch 63. A plurality of current supply lines are provided that branch off from the current supply line K6 and are input to the PLC 66. These current supply lines are provided with a discharge plate advance sensor 20c that detects when the discharge plate reaches its most forward position, a reverse position sensor 10f that detects the reverse position of the compression plate 24, a lowering position sensor 10g that detects the lowering position of the lifting plate 21, a compression position sensor 10h that detects the compression position of the compression plate 24, and the like.

[0043] In response to the operator's operation of the loading switch 31, lowering switch 32, lifting switch 33, and reverse switch 34, and to detection signal inputs from the lifting position sensor 10e, reverse position sensor 10f, lowering position sensor 10g, and compression position sensor 10h, the PLC 66 outputs switching signals to the solenoids of the solenoid valves provided in the electromagnetic control valves V1 and V2. That is, the PLC 66 is connected to the lifting solenoid 10a, reverse solenoid 10b, lowering solenoid 10c, compression solenoid 10d, discharge plate retraction solenoid 20a, discharge plate advancement solenoid 20b, etc., and sends control signals to these solenoids.

[0044] As shown in Figure 10, these various switches 27a, contactless switches LS1 to LS4, upper sensor 18, lower sensor 19, solenoids SOLa to SOLd, etc. are connected to a PLC 66. The PLC 66 has a signal power supply unit, a central processing unit, various relay coils, and relay coil a-contacts (not shown), and is incorporated into an electric circuit together with a battery 61, an ignition switch 62, a PTO switch 63, etc. This PLC 66 is programmed to output to the corresponding solenoids SOLa to SOLd according to a preset procedure based on the input status of the various switches 27a (31 to 36), contactless switches LS1 to LS4, upper sensor 18, and lower sensor 19. Note that in the following description of energizing and de-energizing the solenoids SOLa to SOLd, a description of the relay coils will be omitted.

[0045] As described above, during the loading operation of the garbage loading device 6, the ignition switch 62 and the PTO switch 63 are both closed, and the PLC 66 is energized by the energization lines K3 to K5.

[0046] When the electromagnetic clutch 46 is turned on by the electromagnetic clutch changeover switch 45, the PLC 66 enables the opening / closing switches 37, 38 and automatically operates the electromagnetic clutch-equipped electric motor 11 by operating the opening / closing switches 37, 38, while if the opening / closing switches 37, 38 are not operated, the PLC 66 controls the opening / closing switches 37, 38 to stop the insertion port cover 8 in place, and when the electromagnetic clutch changeover switch 45 is turned off, the PLC 66 disables the opening / closing switches 37, 38, while allowing the insertion port cover 8 to be opened and closed manually.

[0047] When the open / close switches 37, 38 are operated once while the electromagnetic clutch 46 is on, the PLC 66 controls the electromagnetic clutch-equipped electric motor 11 to slide the insertion slot cover 8 up and down to fully open or fully close unless it receives a detection signal from the edge switch 70. On the other hand, if the PLC 66 receives a detection signal from the edge switch 70 while moving the insertion slot cover 8 to the fully closed position, it controls the insertion slot cover 8 to move in the opening direction for a predetermined time and then stop moving the insertion slot cover 8. The detection signal input from the edge switch 70 to the PLC 66 via the control board 16 is set to be the same when the edge switch 70 detects an object and when the signal line between the PLC 66 and the edge switch 70 is broken. Furthermore, the PLC 66 disables the open / close switches 37, 38 while receiving a detection signal. If the PLC 66 receives a detection signal from the edge switch 70 while moving the insertion slot cover 8 to the fully open position, it is set to ignore the detection signal.

[0048] Next, the operation of the refuse collection vehicle 1 configured as above will be described.

[0049] First, we will explain the operation of the garbage loading device 6. The garbage loading device 6 is normally stopped at the end of the garbage loading process, as shown by the solid line in Figure 6. In this state, the lifting plate 21 is at its upper limit position, and the compression plate 24 is at its forward swing limit position.

[0050] When the worker gets into the refuse collection vehicle 1, he turns on the ignition switch 62. When the ignition switch 62 is turned on, power from the battery 61 is input to the signal power supply unit of the PLC 66, and the PLC 66 enters an energized state.

[0051] The worker drives the garbage collection vehicle 1, arrives at the collection site, stops the garbage collection vehicle 1, and then turns on the PTO switch 63. This engages the PTO and starts driving the hydraulic pump P. At this time, the electromagnetic control valves V1 and V2 are in the neutral position, and the hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic pump P is returned to the oil reservoir T without driving the cylinders 23, 25.

[0052] In this state, the lift cylinder 23 and the swing cylinder 25 are both in their fully extended positions, so the non-contact switches LS1 and LS4 are activated and the ON signals of these non-contact switches LS1 and LS4 are input to the PLC 66. In this state, when the worker places garbage through the garbage inlet 7 of the garbage bin 5 and then presses the loading switch 31, the PLC 66 energizes the solenoid SOLd and switches the electromagnetic control valve V2 to the upper position. As a result, the swing cylinder 25 contracts and reverses the compression plate 24 until its compression surface is in a substantially horizontal position.

[0053] When the compression plate 24 reaches the rear swing limit position, that is, when the swing cylinder 25 is fully contracted, the non-contact switch LS3 is activated and the PLC 66 returns the electromagnetic control valve V2 to the neutral position, and at the same time, the solenoid SOLb is energized and the electromagnetic control valve V1 is switched to the upper position, causing the lift cylinder 23 to contract and lower the lift plate 21 along the guide groove member 20. As a result, the compression plate 24 connected to the lift plate 21 descends parallel to the lift plate 21 while keeping its compression surface substantially horizontal, so that the garbage can be crushed between the compression plate 24 connected to the lift plate 21 and the arcuate surface of the bottom of the garbage bin 5.

[0054] When the lift plate 21 reaches its lowest position, i.e., when the lift cylinder 23 is fully retracted, the non-contact switch LS2 is activated, and the PLC 66 de-energizes the solenoid SOLb, returning the solenoid control valve V1 to its neutral position, and simultaneously energizes the solenoid SOLc, switching the solenoid control valve V2 to its lower position. As a result, the swing cylinder 25 extends from the state where the trash has been crushed, and swings the compression plate 24 clockwise around the pivot point until its compression surface is approximately vertical. This allows the compression plate 24 to secondarily compress the trash that was primarily crushed in the previous stroke against the flat surface of the bottom of the trash bin 5.

[0055] When the compression plate 24 reaches its forward swing limit, i.e., when the swing cylinder 25 is fully extended, the non-contact switch LS4 is activated, and the PLC 66 de-energizes the solenoid SOLc, returning the solenoid control valve V2 to its neutral position, and simultaneously energizes the solenoid SOLa, switching the solenoid control valve V1 to its lower position. As a result, the lift cylinder 23 extends from the end of the compression stroke, lifting the compression plate 24 horizontally while maintaining its compression surface substantially vertical, and loading the trash compressed in the previous stroke into the trash storage box 4. Then, when the lift plate 21 reaches its upper limit, i.e., when the lift cylinder 23 is fully extended, the non-contact switch LS1 is activated, and the PLC 66 de-energizes the solenoid SOLa, returning the solenoid control valve V1 to its neutral position. This completes the loading stroke.

[0056] As described above, by pressing the loading switch 31, the garbage loading device 6 operates in the order of inversion stroke, crushing stroke, compression stroke, and loading stroke (hereinafter also referred to as the loading cycle), and garbage dropped into the garbage drop box 5 can be loaded into the garbage storage box 4.

[0057] -Opening and closing operation of the inlet cover- Next, the opening and closing operation of the insertion port cover 8 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 7, for example, the control between the fully closed state in which the insertion port cover 8 is fully closed at the fully closed position B and the fully open state in which the insertion port cover 8 is fully opened to the fully open position A will be described.

[0058] 9, for example, when the ignition switch 62 is turned ON, the control starts, and in step S01, the process waits until the main power switch 30 is turned ON. To drive the electromagnetic clutch-equipped electric motor 11, the main power switch 30 in the operator's cab 3 must be turned ON. When the switch is turned ON, the process proceeds to step S02.

[0059] Next, in step S02, a conditional branch is made depending on whether the electromagnetic clutch 46 has been turned OFF by the electromagnetic clutch changeover switch 45. If it is OFF, the process proceeds to step S03, and if it is ON, the process proceeds to step S04.

[0060] In step S03, control is performed to disable driving of the electromagnetic clutch-equipped electric motor 11 and to disable operation of the open button 37 and close button 38. When the electromagnetic clutch 46 is off, the insertion port cover 8 will not open or close even when the opening / closing switches 37, 38 are operated, but it can be opened and closed manually, so that the insertion port cover 8 can be opened and closed safely and easily even when it cannot be opened or closed due to a broken wire or the like.

[0061] Meanwhile, in step S04, the PLC 66 determines whether the open button 37 is ON. If it is ON, the process proceeds to step S05, and if it is OFF, the process proceeds to step S06. If the electromagnetic clutch 46 is ON, the insertion port cover 8 opens and closes when the opening / closing switches 37, 38 are operated, and if the opening / closing switches 37, 38 are not operated, the insertion port cover 8 is maintained in a stopped state by the electromagnetic clutch 46. In this state, the insertion port cover 8 cannot be opened or closed by hand.

[0062] Next, in step S05, the PLC 66 determines whether the insertion port cover 8 is fully open. If it is fully open, the process proceeds to step S07, and if it is not fully open, the process proceeds to step S08. Whether it is fully open is detected by the upper sensor 18.

[0063] Next, in step S07, the electromagnetic clutch-equipped electric motor 11 is not driven, and the operation of the open button 37 is invalidated, since the door is already in the fully open state.

[0064] Next, in step S08, it is determined whether or not there is a disconnection. If there is a disconnection, the process proceeds to step S09, and if there is no disconnection, the process proceeds to step S10.

[0065] Next, in step S09, the electromagnetic clutch electric motor 11 is not driven, and the operation of the open button 37 and the close button 38 is disabled. This is because the electromagnetic clutch electric motor 11 cannot be driven in the disconnected state.

[0066] Next, in step S10, the electromagnetic clutch-equipped electric motor 11 is driven in the door opening direction, and the process returns to step S05. If the edge switch 70 at the bottom end of the insertion port cover 8 is touched while the insertion port cover 8 is being moved to the fully open position, there is no problem in continuing to move it in the opening direction, so the movement to the fully open position is continued. This avoids unnecessary stopping operations, ensuring safety without reducing work efficiency.

[0067] Next, in step S06, it is determined whether the close button 38 is ON. If it is ON, the process proceeds to step S11, and if it is OFF, the process returns to step S04.

[0068] Next, in step S11, the PLC 66 determines whether the inlet cover 8 is fully closed, and if it is, the process proceeds to step S12, and if it is not, the process proceeds to step S13. Whether it is fully closed is detected by the lower sensor 19.

[0069] Next, in step S12, the electromagnetic clutch-equipped electric motor 11 is not driven, and the operation of the close button 38 is invalidated, since the door is already in the fully closed state.

[0070] Next, in step S13, the PLC 66 or the control board 16 determines whether the edge switch 70 is ON or in an open state. If the edge switch is ON or in an open state, the process proceeds to step S14; if the edge switch 70 is neither ON nor in an open state, the process proceeds to step S15.

[0071] Next, in step S14, it is determined whether the electric motor 11 with electromagnetic clutch is being driven to perform a closing operation. If the electric motor 11 is in a closing operation, the process proceeds to step S16, and if the electric motor 11 is not in a closing operation, the process proceeds to step S17.

[0072] In step S16, the electromagnetic clutch-equipped electric motor 11 is rotated in reverse for a predetermined time and then stopped, disabling operation of the open button 37 and the close button 38. If an object touches the edge switch 70 at the bottom end of the insertion port cover 8 while the insertion port cover 8 is being moved to the fully closed position, the insertion port cover 8 will open once in the opening direction and then stop, so the insertion port cover 8 will not stop in an emergency while remaining closed, preventing the object or hand from being unable to be removed. Even if the signal line between the PLC 66 and the edge switch 70 is broken while the insertion port cover 8 is being moved to the fully closed position, the insertion port cover 8 will not stop immediately, but will open once in the opening direction and then stop, so the insertion port cover 8 will not stop in an emergency while remaining closed, preventing the object or hand from being unable to be removed.

[0073] On the other hand, if the cover is not in the closing operation, in step S17, the electromagnetic clutch-equipped electric motor 11 is simply not driven, and the operation of the open button 37 and close button 38 is disabled. By disabling the open / close switches 37, 38 when the cover is not in the fully closed state, the slot cover 8 cannot be opened or closed when the edge switch 70 is on or disconnected, ensuring safety. Since the cover is not in the fully closed state to begin with, the slot cover 8 will not remain closed, preventing an object or hand from being unable to be removed.

[0074] Next, if the edge switch 70 is neither ON nor disconnected, the electromagnetic clutch-equipped electric motor 11 is driven in the door opening direction as usual in step S15, and the process returns to step S11.

[0075] Therefore, in the garbage collection vehicle 1 of this embodiment, an electromagnetic clutch 46 that can be switched on and off is provided between the electric motor 11 with an electromagnetic clutch and the inlet cover 8, so that the tailgate can be opened and closed safely and easily even if a break occurs.

[0076] (Other embodiments) In each of the above embodiments, the control of the electric motor 11 with electromagnetic clutch is configured to be performed by the PLC 66 as a control unit and the control board 16, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the control unit of the drive motor may be configured as a component dedicated to controlling the opening and closing of the inlet cover, separate from the PLC.

[0077] The above-described embodiments are essentially preferred examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or uses. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1. Refuse collection truck 2 chassis 2b front wall 3. Driver's cab 4. Garbage collection box 4a Rear opening 5 Garbage disposal box 6. Garbage loading device 7 Garbage inlet 8. Inlet cover 8a Laura 8b Rail member 8c Vehicle width direction end 8d arm mounting bracket 9 Left and right side walls 9a Side cover 10 Crossbar 10a Up Solenoid 10b Reversing solenoid 10c Down solenoid 10d compression solenoid 10e Up position sensor 10f Reversal Position Sensor 10g Down Position Sensor 10h Compression Position Sensor 11. Electric motor with electromagnetic clutch 11a Output shaft 11b Drive pulley 11c motor mounting bracket 12 Transmission belt 13 Upper support part 13a Driven pulley 14 Inner arm 14a one end 14b other end 14c Fixed part 14d Upper arm support 14e Lower arm support 15 PLC (control unit) 16 Control Board 17 Drivers 18 Upper sensor 18a Upper sensor mounting bracket 18b long hole 19 Lower sensor 19a Lower sensor mounting bracket 19b long hole 20 Guide groove member 20a Discharge plate retract solenoid 20b Discharge plate advance solenoid 20c Discharge plate advance sensor 21 Lifting platform 21a Lifting plate support shaft 22 Sliding opening 23 Lifting cylinder 23a Piston rod 24 compression plate 25 Swing Cylinder 26 Detectable plate 27 Rear control section 27a Various switches 30 Main power switch 31 Loading switch 32 Down switch 33 Up switch 34 Reverse switch 36 Emergency stop switch 37,38 Open / close switch 39 Opening and closing mechanism 40 Link member 41 Outer arm 45 Changeover switch 41a Arm connecting pin 42 Pipe members 43 Plate members 44 Arm mounting bracket 44a truncated pyramid 44b Tip 45 Electromagnetic clutch changeover switch 46 Electromagnetic clutch (drive actuator) 50 Emergency Stop Plate 51 Loading / discharging switch 61 Battery 62 Ignition switch 63 PTO switch 64 Relay Coil 65 Relay Switch 66 PLC (control unit) 67 Information Department 68 Plate movement control switch 70 Edge switch (contact sensor) K3~K5 energized lines V1, V2 solenoid control valve LS1~LS4 non-contact switches

Claims

1. A garbage collection vehicle comprising: a garbage drop box provided on a vehicle chassis and having a garbage drop opening formed therein through which garbage is dropped; a drop opening cover provided on the garbage drop box and sliding up and down between a fully closed position at the bottom end and a fully open position at the top end to open and close the garbage drop opening; an opening / closing mechanism having a drive actuator for moving the drop opening cover up and down between the fully closed position and the fully open position; and a control unit for controlling the opening / closing mechanism, A contact sensor is provided at the bottom end of the insertion port cover to detect contact with an object, When the opening / closing switch of the insertion port cover is operated once, the control unit causes the drive actuator to slide the insertion port cover up and down to fully open or fully close it unless a detection signal is received from the contact sensor side; When a detection signal is received from the contact sensor while the insertion port cover is being moved to the fully closed position, the insertion port cover is moved in the opening direction for a predetermined time and then stopped from moving, When a detection signal is received from the contact sensor while the insertion port cover is being moved to the fully open position, the insertion port cover is controlled to continue moving to the fully open position. A garbage collection vehicle characterized by:

2. The garbage collection vehicle according to claim 1, the detection signal input from the contact sensor to the control unit is set to have the same content when the contact sensor detects an object and when a signal line provided between the control unit and the contact sensor is broken; The control unit controls the open / close switch to disable movement to the fully closed position while receiving the detection signal. A garbage collection vehicle characterized by:

3. The garbage collection vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, The contact sensor side is covered with an outer covering, and the outer covering protrudes downward from the lower end of the insertion port cover, The trash bin is provided with a lower sensor that detects when the inlet cover has moved to a predetermined position in front of the fully closed position, The control unit determines whether the door is in a fully closed state based on the detection by the lower sensor. A garbage collection vehicle characterized by:

4. The garbage collection vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, The garbage bin is provided with a lower sensor that detects when the inlet cover has moved to a predetermined position in front of the fully closed position, and a garbage bin table that is provided on the lower edge of the garbage bin that extends in the vehicle width direction and is capable of rising and falling in the vehicle front-rear direction, The control unit determines whether the door is in a fully closed state based on the detection by the lower sensor, and after the determination, does not perform a determination by the contact sensor. A garbage collection vehicle characterized by:

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