Refuse disposal bins and refuse collection vehicles

Abstract

To provide a refuse charging box that can reduce operating force in the latter half and has a compact door opening and closing mechanism.SOLUTION: A refuse charging box 20 comprises a door 22 that opens and closes a charging port 21a in a vertical direction, a first arm 31, a second arm 32, a first connection part 33 that rotatably connects the first arm 31 to a main body of the charging box 21, a second connection part 34 that rotatably connects the first arm 31 and the second arm 32, a third connection part 35 that rotatably connects the second arm 32 and an upper end of the door 22, and an energization member 40 connected to the second arm 32 and the main body of the charging box 21. When a normal line of the door 22 at the third connection part 35 at the time when the door 22 is in a closed state is a first normal line N1 and the same normal line at the time when the door is in an opened state is the second normal line N2, the first connection part 33 is arranged between the first normal line N1 and the second normal line N2. The second connection part 34 is located between the first normal line N1 and the second normal line N2, and is located closer to the first normal line N1 than the first connection part 33 at least when the door 22 is in the closed state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dust bin and a dust collection vehicle equipped with the same.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a dust collection vehicle having a door provided at an inlet of dust has been known. For example, in Patent Document 1, there is described a dust collection vehicle including a slide-type inlet cover for opening and closing a dust inlet, a link member having one end rotatably connected to an upper end portion of the inlet cover, an arm portion having one end rotatably connected to the other end of the link member and the other end rotatably connected to a side wall of a dust bin, and a tension coil spring locked to the arm portion and the dust bin. In the dust collection vehicle described in Patent Document 1, the opening and closing of the inlet cover are manually performed by an operator holding a handle attached to the inlet cover.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a dust collection box as described in Patent Document 1, in the first half of the operation of opening the door of the dust inlet, the door can be opened with an appropriate operating force with the assistance of a biasing member such as a tension coil spring. However, in the first half of the operation of opening the door, the operating force for lifting the door greatly increases. The inventor of the present application analyzed the reason. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the reason for the above phenomenon found by the inventor of the present application will be described.

[0005] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional waste disposal box 120, showing the tailgate 122 in a closed state. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional waste disposal box 120, showing the tailgate 122 in an open state. As shown in Figure 9, when the tailgate 122 is closed or nearly closed, the force F that the spring 140 exerts to assist the movement of the tailgate 122 acts at an angle nearly parallel to the direction of movement of the tailgate 122. The assisting force F of the spring 140 acts tangentially to the rotational trajectory of the arm portion 131. Therefore, at the beginning of the tailgate 122 opening operation, the direction of the assisting force F from the spring 140 is nearly parallel to the direction of movement of the tailgate 122, as shown in Figure 9. As a result, in the first half of the tailgate 122 opening operation, the operator can move the tailgate 122 upward with little force.

[0006] However, as the tailgate 122 approaches the open position, a large discrepancy occurs between the direction of the auxiliary force F from the spring 140 and the direction of movement of the tailgate 122. As shown in Figure 10, as the tailgate 122 approaches the open position, the tangential direction of the rotational trajectory of the arm portion 131, i.e., the direction of the auxiliary force F, becomes significantly different from the direction of movement of the tailgate 122. Therefore, in the latter half of the tailgate 122 opening operation, the assistance from the spring 140 is reduced, and the operating force required to lift the tailgate 122 increases significantly. Graph G0 in Figure 8 shows the operating force during the opening operation of the tailgate 122 in a conventional refuse input box 120. As shown in Graph G0, the operating force during the opening operation of the tailgate 122 in a conventional refuse input box 120 increases sharply from the middle of the opening operation onward.

[0007] By positioning the connecting portion 133 at the base of the arm portion 131 higher, it is possible to suppress the increase in operating force during the latter half of the tailgate 122 opening operation. However, in this configuration, the arm portion 131 and the link member 132 protrude above the tailgate 122, making it difficult to position the components that were originally there. Alternatively, by lengthening the arm portion 131, it is also possible to suppress the increase in operating force during the latter half of the opening operation. If the arm portion 131 is lengthened, the discrepancy between the opening direction of the tailgate 122 and the direction of the auxiliary force F of the spring 140 will be reduced even during the latter half of the opening operation. However, in this configuration, the waste disposal box 120 will be larger due to the lengthening of the arm portion 131. Or, if the waste disposal box 120 is not made larger, it will be difficult to store the arm portion 131 and the link member 132.

[0008] This invention has been made in view of the above, and its purpose is to propose a refuse input box that can reduce the operating force required in the latter half of the operation to open the input door and has a compact door opening and closing mechanism. Furthermore, it is also to propose a refuse collection vehicle equipped with such a refuse input box. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The waste disposal box of the present invention comprises a box-shaped disposal box body having an opening formed therein; a door that opens and closes the opening vertically; a guide portion that extends vertically along the opening and guides the movement of the door; a first arm positioned further inward of the disposal box body than the door and the guide portion; a second arm positioned further inward of the disposal box body than the door and the guide portion; a first connecting portion that rotatably connects one end of the first arm to the disposal box body; a second connecting portion that rotatably connects the other end of the first arm to one end of the second arm; a third connecting portion that rotatably connects the other end of the second arm to the upper end of the door; and a biasing member, one end of which is connected to the second arm and the other end of which is connected to a portion of the disposal box body above the second arm. In a side view, when the door is in the closed state, the normal to the door at the third connecting portion is defined as the first normal, and when the door is in the open state, the normal to the door at the third connecting portion is defined as the second normal. In a side view, the first connecting portion is positioned between the first normal and the second normal. In a side view, the second connecting portion is positioned between the first normal and the second normal when the door is in the closed state, the open state, and an intermediate state between the closed and open states. Furthermore, the second connecting portion is positioned closer to the first normal than the first connecting portion, at least when the door is in the closed state.

[0010] In the above-described waste disposal box, when the door is closed, the second connecting part is positioned in front of the third connecting part, which lies on the first normal, in the direction of door opening. Conversely, when the door is open, the second connecting part is positioned behind the third connecting part, which lies on the second normal, in the direction of door opening. Thus, the position of the second arm relative to the third connecting part changes from in front of the door opening direction to behind it during rotation. This allows the direction of the auxiliary force of the biasing member and the direction of door opening to be brought closer together again during rotation. Therefore, the operating force required in the latter half of the operation to open the door of the disposal opening can be reduced. Furthermore, in the above-described waste disposal box, the first connecting part, the second connecting part, and the third connecting part are all always located between the first normal and the second normal. Consequently, the first arm and the second arm are also always located between the first normal and the second normal. Therefore, the mechanism for opening and closing the door can be made more compact.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the door is opened from a closed state, it rotates upward around the second connecting portion, and then rotates upward around the first connecting portion.

[0012] In this configuration, the second arm rotates when the door rotates around the second connecting portion. As a result, the position of the second arm relative to the third connecting portion changes from the front to the rear in the opening direction of the door. By configuring the door so that its initial pivot point is the second connecting portion, the position of the second arm relative to the third connecting portion can be changed during rotation.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the door is opened from a closed position, the first arm rotates downward around the first connecting portion or remains stationary before rotating upward.

[0014] According to this configuration, the door can be rotated upward around the second connecting portion, and then rotated upward around the first connecting portion.

[0015] According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the third connecting portion is positioned above the second connecting portion at least after the first arm has rotated upward. According to this embodiment, after the first arm has rotated upward at least, the door is pushed upward by the second arm, which is biased by the biasing force of the biasing member.

[0016] According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first connecting portion is positioned closer to the second normal than the midpoint between the first normal and the second normal.

[0017] In this embodiment, since the first connecting portion is positioned near the second normal, the direction of the auxiliary force of the biasing member and the opening direction of the door become close to each other towards the end of the door opening process. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the operating force of the door towards the end of the door opening process.

[0018] According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the door is closed, the second connecting portion is located closer to the first normal than the midpoint between the first normal and the second normal.

[0019] According to such an aspect, since the second connecting portion is disposed near the first normal line, the direction of the assisting force of the biasing member and the opening direction of the door are close to each other at the initial stage of the opening of the door. Thereby, the operating force of the door can be reduced at the initial stage of the opening of the door.

[0020] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the first arm is longer than the second arm.

[0021] According to such an aspect, a moment of force corresponding to the length of the first arm acts on the door, and it is possible to compensate for the decrease in the biasing force of the biasing member as the door approaches the closed state.

[0022] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the one end of the biasing member is connected to a portion of the second arm closer to the second connecting portion than the center between the second connecting portion and the third connecting portion.

[0023] According to such an aspect, the distance between the portion of the dust collection box main body to which the biasing member is connected and the portion of the second arm to which the biasing member is connected becomes longer, and it is possible to suppress the decrease in the restoring force of the biasing member due to the door approaching the closed state.

[0024] The dust collection vehicle according to a preferred aspect of the present invention includes any one of the above-described dust collection boxes.

[0025] The dust collection vehicle according to a preferred aspect of the present invention further includes a dust collection container connected to the input box main body, and a loading device that loads the dust input from the input port into the input box main body into the dust collection container. The loading device is disposed inside the input box main body, includes a sliding guide extending in the vertical direction, and a sliding member configured to be slidable along the sliding guide and configured to entrain and move the dust input into the input box main body. The first arm, the second arm, the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, the third connecting portion, and the biasing member are disposed between the sliding guide and the door in a side view.

[0026] According to such an aspect, the first arm, the second arm, the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, and the third connecting portion configured in a compact manner can be disposed between the sliding guide and the door, and the dust bin can be configured in a compact manner.

[0027] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, all of the first arm, the second arm, the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, the third connecting portion, and the biasing member are housed inside the housing body of the input box.

[0028] According to such an aspect, all of the first arm, the second arm, the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, and the third connecting portion configured in a compact manner can be housed in the dust bin, and the waterproof property and the design property of the dust bin can be enhanced.

Effects of the Invention

[0029] According to the above dust bin, the operating force in the latter half of the operation of opening the door of the input port can be reduced, and the opening / closing mechanism of the door can be made compact.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] [Figure 1] It is a side view of a dust collection vehicle according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a rear view of the dust collection vehicle. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view of the dust bin with the tail gate closed. [Figure 4] It is a side view of the link arm. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view of the dust bin with the tail gate open. <0​​​​​​​​​ [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view of a conventional waste disposal box, showing the tailgate in the closed position. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view of a conventional waste disposal box, showing the tailgate in the open position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0031] [Composition of a garbage collection vehicle] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a side view of a refuse collection vehicle 10 according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a rear view of the refuse collection vehicle 10. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the refuse collection vehicle 10 according to this embodiment comprises a chassis 11, a refuse container 12 mounted on the chassis 11, and a refuse input box 20 connected to the refuse container 12 from the rear. A driver's cab 14 is provided in front of the refuse container 12. As shown in Figure 2, a tailgate 22 is provided on the rear surface of the refuse input box 20 to open and close the refuse 5 input opening 21a (see Figure 3).

[0032] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the refuse input box 20. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the refuse input box 20 with the tailgate 22 closed. As shown in Figure 3, the refuse input box 20 comprises a box-shaped input box body 21 with an input opening 21a, and a tailgate 22 that opens and closes the input opening 21a vertically. The refuse storage box 12 is connected to the input box body 21. The input opening 21a is provided on the rear surface of the input box body 21. The tailgate 22 is opened and closed manually by an operator. A handle 23 is provided on the lower part of the outer surface of the tailgate 22 for the operator to grip during opening and closing operations.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the input box body 21 is equipped with a loading device 50 that loads the waste 5, which is fed into the input box body 21 from the input opening 21a, into the waste storage box 12. As shown in Figure 3, the loading device 50 includes a sliding guide 51, a sliding plate 52, a sliding cylinder 53, a compression plate 54, and a swinging cylinder 55.

[0034] The sliding guide 51 is located inside the input box body 21 and extends vertically. Here, the sliding guide 51 is configured in pairs and is provided on the left and right side walls of the input box body 21. The sliding guide 51 extends diagonally vertically, more specifically, sloping downward toward the rear. The sliding guide 51 has a groove 51a into which the sliding plate 52 engages. However, the configuration of the sliding guide 51 is not limited to this. The sliding guide 51 may be, for example, a guide rail extending vertically.

[0035] The sliding plate 52 is configured to slide along the sliding guide 51. The sliding plate 52 is equipped with a guide roller 52a that is slidably engaged with a groove 51a in the sliding guide 51. A sliding cylinder 53 is connected to the sliding plate 52. The sliding cylinder 53 is, for example, a hydraulic cylinder. The sliding cylinder 53 comprises a cylinder rod 53a whose tip is attached to the side wall of the input box body 21, and a cylinder tube 53b connected to the sliding plate 52. The extension and retraction of the sliding cylinder 53 causes the sliding plate 52 to reciprocate up and down along the sliding guide 51.

[0036] A compression plate 54 is supported at the lower end of the sliding plate 52 so as to be able to swing in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. A swing cylinder 55 is connected to the compression plate 54. The swing cylinder 55 is, for example, a hydraulic cylinder. The swing cylinder 55 comprises a cylinder rod 55a whose tip is connected to the sliding plate 52 and a cylinder tube 55b attached to the compression plate 54. The compression plate 54 swings back and forth due to the extension and retraction of the swing cylinder 55.

[0037] The loading device 50 operates in a cycle consisting of: a reversal step in which the compression plate 54 is swung backward when the sliding plate 52 is in the raised position; a descent step in which the sliding plate 52 is slid downward when the compression plate 54 is in the rear position; a compression step in which the compression plate 54 is swung forward when the sliding plate 52 is in the lowered position to compress the waste 5 with the compression plate 54; and an upward step in which the sliding plate 52 is slid upward when the compression plate 54 is in the forward position to send the compressed waste 5 to the waste storage box 12. The sliding plate 52 and the compression plate 54 are configured to slide along the sliding guide 51 and are an example of sliding members that wrap around and move the waste 5 that has been put into the input box body 21. However, the configuration of the loading device 50 is not limited to the above.

[0038] The following describes the opening and closing mechanism that supports the tailgate 22 so that it can be opened and closed. As shown in Figure 3, the waste disposal box 20 includes a guide section 25 that guides the movement of the tailgate 22, a link arm 30 connected to the tailgate 22 and the waste disposal box body 21, and a spring 40 that assists in the opening operation of the tailgate 22.

[0039] The guide section 25 extends vertically along the input opening 21a and guides the movement of the tailgate 22. The guide section 25 includes a guide groove 25a that restricts the forward and backward movement of the tailgate 22. The tailgate 22 is equipped with rollers 24 that are slidably engaged with the guide groove 25a. The opening and closing trajectory of the tailgate 22 is defined by the guide section 25.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, the tailgate 22 is configured in a curved shape that is convex outward (towards the rear) when viewed from the side. The guide groove 25a is also configured in a curved shape that is convex outward, corresponding to the shape of the tailgate 22 when viewed from the side. The opening and closing trajectory of the tailgate 22 generally passes along a curve centered on the virtual center of the curved tailgate 22, with a radius equal to the radius of the tailgate 22's arc.

[0041] The link arm 30 supports the tailgate 22 from the side of the inner wall of the tailgate 22. The link arm 30 is positioned inside the loading box body 21, beyond the tailgate 22 and the guide section 25. The link arm 30 is positioned behind the sliding guide 51 of the loading device 50. In a side view, the link arm 30 is positioned between the sliding guide 51 and the tailgate 22. The link arm 30 comprises a first arm 31 connected to the loading box body 21 and a second arm 32 connected to the tailgate 22. The first arm 31 and the second arm 32 are connected. Hereinafter, the connection between the loading box body 21 and the first arm 31 will also be referred to as the first connection section 33, the connection between the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 as the second connection section 34, and the connection between the second arm 32 and the tailgate 22 as the third connection section 35. The first connecting portion 33 to the third connecting portion 35 each include, for example, a pin that extends in the left-right direction and serves as a rotation axis.

[0042] The first connecting portion 33 rotatably connects one end 31a of the first arm 31 to the input box body 21. Here, the input box body 21 is provided with the first connecting portion 33 and an arm bracket 26 that supports the first arm 31 via the first connecting portion 33. As shown in Figure 3, the end 31a of the first arm 31 connected to the arm bracket 26 by the first connecting portion 33 is the front end and upper end of the first arm 31 when the tailgate 22 is closed. The first arm 31 rotates around the first connecting portion 33.

[0043] The second connecting portion 34 rotatably connects the other end 31b of the first arm 31 to one end 32a of the second arm 32. As shown in Figure 3, the end 32a of the second arm 32 connected to the first arm 31 by the second connecting portion 34 is the front end of the second arm 32 when the tailgate 22 is closed. The second arm 32 rotates around the second connecting portion 34. The third connecting portion 35 rotatably connects the other end 32b of the second arm 32 to the upper end of the tailgate 22. Here, the "upper end" of the tailgate 22 refers to the vicinity of the top of the tailgate 22, for example, within 10% of the total length from the top of the tailgate 22. The "upper end" of the tailgate 22 is not limited to the top of the tailgate 22.

[0044] Figure 4 is a side view of the link arm 30. As shown in Figure 4, the first arm 31 is formed in a straight line when viewed from the side. The second arm 32 has a straight portion 32c (also called the straight section 32c) including end 32a and a hook-shaped portion 32d (also called the curved section 32d) including end 32b. The length L1 of the first arm 31 is longer than the length L2 of the second arm 32. The length L2 of the second arm 32 is, here, the length in the extension direction of the straight section 32c. The straight section 32c of the second arm 32 is provided with a spring locking portion 32e to which one end 40a (see Figure 3) of the spring 40 is locked. One end 40a of the spring 40 is connected to the portion of the second arm 32 that is closer to the second connecting portion 34 than the center between the second connecting portion 34 and the third connecting portion 35.

[0045] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the waste disposal box 20 with the tailgate 22 open. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, when the tailgate 22 is opened, it moves in an arc diagonally upward and forward. Hereafter, the circumferential direction of the trajectory when the tailgate 22 is opened will also be referred to as the tailgate 22 opening direction D1. The circumferential direction of the trajectory when the tailgate 22 is closed will also be referred to as the tailgate 22 closing direction D2. The opening direction D1 and the closing direction D2 are opposite directions. Also, as shown in Figure 3, in a side view, the normal of the tailgate 22 at the third connecting section 35 when the tailgate 22 is in the closed state will be referred to as the first normal N1, and as shown in Figure 5, the normal of the tailgate 22 at the third connecting section 35 when the tailgate 22 is in the open state will be referred to as the second normal N2. The first normal N1 and the second normal N2 intersect at the virtual center of the opening and closing trajectory of the tailgate 22.

[0046] As shown in Figure 5, in a side view, the first connecting portion 33 is positioned between the first normal N1 and the second normal N2. More specifically, the first connecting portion 33 is positioned closer to the second normal N2 than the midpoint between the first normal N1 and the second normal N2. When the tailgate 22 is opened and closed, the third connecting portion 35 moves between the first normal N1 and the second normal N2 along the opening and closing trajectory of the tailgate 22. The second connecting portion 34 also moves in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the tailgate 22. Details of the movement of each part of the link arm 30 when the tailgate 22 is opened and closed will be described later.

[0047] The spring 40 is positioned between the sliding guide 51 of the loading device 50 and the tailgate 22 in a side view. The spring 40 is an example of a biasing member that assists in the opening operation of the tailgate 22 with its restoring force. However, the biasing member is not limited to the spring 40. The biasing member may be, for example, a cylinder adjusted to produce a relatively weak force. As shown in Figure 3, one end 40a of the spring 40 is connected to the second arm 32. End 40a is the lower end and rear end of the spring 40. The other end 40b of the spring 40 is connected to the portion of the loading box body 21 above the second arm 32. End 40b is the upper end and front end of the spring 40. A spring locking portion 27 is provided on the upper part of the loading box body 21, into which the end 40b of the spring 40 is locked. The spring 40 is locked in an extended state so that it is still longer than its natural length even when the tailgate 22 is open.

[0048] The link arms 30 (first arm 31, second arm 32, first connecting portion 33, second connecting portion 34, third connecting portion 35) and the spring 40 are positioned between the sliding guide 51 and the tailgate 22 when viewed from the side. In this embodiment, the link arms 30 and the spring 40 are compactly configured to be housed in the space between the sliding guide 51 and the tailgate 22. Furthermore, the entire link arms 30 and spring 40 are housed inside the input box body 21. For example, it is possible to provide an opening in the input box body 21 and allow a portion of the link arms 30 to protrude outside the input box body 21 through the opening, but in this embodiment, the entire link arms 30 and spring 40 are housed inside the input box body 21 in order to ensure waterproofness and design aesthetics. Housed entirely inside the input box body 21 is made possible by the compact configuration of the link arms 30.

[0049] [Movement of each part of the link arm when the tailgate is open] The following describes the movement of each part of the link arm 30 when the tailgate 22 is open.

[0050] As shown in Figure 3, when the tailgate 22 is closed, the second connecting portion 34 is located between the first normal N1 and the second normal N2 in a side view, and is closer to the first normal N1 than the first connecting portion 33. When the tailgate 22 is closed, the second connecting portion 34 is located in the closing direction D2 more than the first connecting portion 33. Here, the second connecting portion 34 is located closer to the first normal N1 than the midpoint between the first normal N1 and the second normal N2. At this time, the first arm 31 is inclined downward and rearward from the first connecting portion 33 at an angle nearly parallel to the tailgate 22. When the tailgate 22 is closed, the second connecting portion 34 is located further rearward and below the first connecting portion 33. When the tailgate 22 is closed, the third connecting portion 35 is located on the first normal N1. The third connecting portion 35 is located even further rearward than the second connecting portion 34. Here, the third connecting portion 35 is located behind the second connecting portion 34 and at approximately the same vertical position as the second connecting portion 34. At this time, the second arm 32 extends roughly horizontally toward the rear.

[0051] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the waste disposal box 20 during the first half of the tailgate 22 opening operation. As shown in Figures 3 and 6, at the beginning of the tailgate 22 opening operation, the tailgate 22 rotates upward (counterclockwise in a left side view) around the second connecting portion 34. During this first half of the tailgate 22 rotation, the first arm 31 rotates downward (clockwise in a left side view) around the first connecting portion 33. The rotation angle of the first arm 31 at this time is small. The first arm 31 may remain stationary at this time. In Figure 6, the first arm 31 shown by the dashed line represents the first arm 31 when the tailgate 22 is in the closed state, and the arrow indicates the direction of rotation. The second arm 32 rotates upward (counterclockwise in a left side view) around the second connecting portion 34. In Figure 6, the second arm 32, shown by the dashed line, represents the second arm 32 when the tailgate 22 is in the closed position, and the arrow indicates the direction of rotation. Thus, at the beginning of the opening operation of the tailgate 22, the tailgate 22 rotates substantially upward around the second connecting portion 34.

[0052] As described in the description of the waste disposal box 120 in Patent Document 1, the auxiliary force F from the spring 40 acts in the tangential direction of the rotation trajectory of the arm. In this case, the auxiliary force F from the spring 40 acts in the tangential direction of the rotation trajectory of the second arm 32. The tangential direction of the rotation trajectory of the second arm 32 is perpendicular to the straight line connecting the second connecting portion 34 and the third connecting portion 35. When the tailgate 22 is closed, the second connecting portion 34 is located closer to the first normal N1 than the first connecting portion 33, and closer to the first normal N1 than the midpoint between the first normal N1 and the second normal N2, and is close to the first normal N1. Therefore, at the beginning of the tailgate 22 opening operation, the difference in angle between the straight line connecting the second connecting portion 34 and the third connecting portion 35 and the first normal N1 is small. Furthermore, the initial direction of movement (opening direction) D1 of the tailgate 22 during the opening operation is approximately perpendicular to the first normal N1. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, at the beginning of the opening operation, the angle difference between the direction of the auxiliary force F from the spring 40 and the opening direction D1 of the tailgate 22 is small. As a result, the restoring force of the spring 40 acts efficiently on the tailgate 22. Also, at this time, the spring 40 is stretched to a long length. Therefore, the restoring force of the spring 40 is also large. As a result of these factors, in the first half of the tailgate 22 opening operation, the operator can move the tailgate 22 upward with little force.

[0053] Figure 7 shows a state in which the tailgate 22 is opened further than in Figure 6, and is a cross-sectional view of the waste collection box 20 after the pivot point of the tailgate 22 has changed. As shown in Figure 7, at a certain point in the middle of the tailgate 22 opening operation, the pivot point of the tailgate 22 and the rotation direction of the first arm 31 change. In Figure 7, the first arm 31 shown by the dashed line represents the first arm 31 in the state of Figure 6, and the arrow indicates the rotation direction. In Figure 7, the second arm 32 shown by the dashed line represents the second arm 32 in the state of Figure 6, and the arrow indicates the rotation direction. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, when the tailgate 22 is opened from the closed state, the first arm 31 rotates downward (clockwise in a left side view) around the first connecting part 33 (it may remain stationary) (see Figure 6), and then rotates upward (counterclockwise in a left side view) (see Figure 7). The second arm 32 rotates upward until it is approximately parallel to (or in contact with) the tailgate 22 and can no longer rotate. As shown in Figure 5, once the second arm 32 stops rotating, the tailgate 22 begins to rotate only around the first connecting portion 33. Thus, when the tailgate 22 is opened from the closed state, it rotates upward around the second connecting portion 34, and then rotates upward around the first connecting portion 33.

[0054] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, after the pivot point of the tailgate 22 changes, the lower part of the second arm 32 gradually approaches the tailgate 22 and folds downward (rearward) around the third connecting portion 35. During the rotation, the second arm 32 changes its position relative to the third connecting portion 35 from in front of the opening direction D1 of the tailgate 22 to rear (closing direction D2). The third connecting portion 35 is positioned above the second connecting portion 34 (in front of the opening direction D1) at least after the first arm 31 has begun to rotate upward. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, when the tailgate 22 is in the open state, the second connecting portion 34 is positioned higher than when the tailgate 22 is in the closed state. The second connecting portion 34 is positioned between the first normal N1 and the second normal N2 when the tailgate 22 is in the closed state, the open state, and an intermediate state between the closed and open states, that is, at all times. Furthermore, the second connecting portion 34 is positioned closer to the first normal N1 (in the closing direction D2) than the first connecting portion 33, at least when the tailgate 22 is closed. In this embodiment, the second connecting portion 34 is positioned closer to the first normal N1 than the first connecting portion 33 in all cases when the tailgate 22 is closed, open, and in an intermediate state between the closed and open states. However, the opening and closing mechanism of the tailgate 22 may be configured such that when the tailgate 22 is opened beyond a certain point, the second connecting portion 34 is positioned closer to the second normal N2 (in the opening direction D1) than the first connecting portion 33.

[0055] As mentioned above, the auxiliary force F from the spring 40 acts tangentially to the rotational trajectory of the arm. As shown in Figure 5, after the second arm 32 is folded, the tangential direction of the arm's rotational trajectory becomes perpendicular to the straight line connecting the first connecting part 33 and the third connecting part 35. As a result, the direction of the auxiliary force F from the spring 40 and the direction of movement (opening direction) D1 of the tailgate 22 become closer. Consequently, the restoring force of the spring 40 acts efficiently on the tailgate 22.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first connecting portion 33 is located closer to the second normal N2 than to the midpoint between the first normal N1 and the second normal N2, and is therefore close to the second normal N2. Consequently, when the tailgate 22 is approaching the closed state, the angular difference between the line connecting the first connecting portion 33 and the third connecting portion 35 and the second normal N2 becomes smaller. Thus, as shown in Figure 5, when the tailgate 22 is approaching the closed state, the direction of the auxiliary force F from the spring 40 and the direction of movement (opening direction) D1 of the tailgate 22 become closer. This also allows the restoring force of the spring 40 to act efficiently on the tailgate 22.

[0057] On the other hand, as the tailgate 22 approaches the closed position, the extension of the spring 40 decreases, and therefore the restoring force also decreases. In this embodiment, to compensate for this, the spring 40 is connected to the second arm 32, and the first arm 31 is made longer than the second arm 32. As a result, a force moment corresponding to the length of the first arm 31 acts, compensating for the weakening of the restoring force of the spring 40. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the spring 40 is connected closer to the first arm 31 than half of the second arm 32. As a result, the distance between the spring locking portion 27 of the input box body 21 and the spring locking portion 32e of the second arm 32 increases. In this embodiment, as the tailgate 22 approaches the closed position, the end portion 32a of the second arm 32 is located further back in the opening direction D1 than the end portion 32b. As a result, the weakening of the restoring force of the spring 40 can be suppressed. As a result, even in the latter half of the tailgate 22 opening operation, the operator can move the tailgate 22 upward with less force.

[0058] [Improvements in operating power] Figure 8 is a graph showing the operating force required to open the tailgate 22 (122) in the refuse input box 20 according to this embodiment and in the conventional refuse input box 120. Graph G0 in Figure 8 shows the operating force required to open the tailgate 122 in the conventional refuse input box 120. Graph G1 shows the operating force required to open the tailgate 22 in the refuse input box 20 according to this embodiment. As shown in graph G0 in Figure 8, the operating force required to open the tailgate 122 in the conventional refuse input box 120 is maintained to a certain extent, decreasing slightly until the middle of the opening operation, and then increases sharply thereafter. In contrast, as shown in graph G1 in Figure 8, in the refuse input box 20 according to this embodiment, the operating force required to open the tailgate 22 decreases initially at the beginning of the opening operation, and then increases. However, the increase in operating force is suppressed, and even at the very end, it does not significantly exceed the operating force required at the beginning of the opening operation. Thus, according to the waste disposal box 20 of this embodiment, the operating force required in the latter half of the operation to open the tailgate 22 can be reduced.

[0059] [Improved space efficiency] As mentioned above in the description of the conventional waste disposal box, by positioning the connection point at the base of the link arm higher, it is possible to suppress the need for a very large operating force in the latter half of the tailgate opening operation. However, in this configuration, the link arm protrudes above the tailgate, making it difficult to position the components that were originally located there.

[0060] Furthermore, lengthening the link arm can also suppress the need for excessively high operating force during the latter half of the tailgate opening process. However, in such a configuration, the longer link arm necessitates a larger refuse bin. Alternatively, if the refuse bin is not enlarged, storing the link arm becomes difficult. As a result, for example, part of the link arm may have to extend outside the refuse bin, potentially compromising the bin's waterproofing and aesthetic appeal.

[0061] In the refuse collection vehicle 10 according to this embodiment, the link arm 30 is configured compactly while suppressing an increase in operating force in the latter half of the tailgate 22 opening operation due to the positional relationship of the first connecting portion 33, the second connecting portion 34, and the third connecting portion 35. In this embodiment, the first connecting portion 33, the second connecting portion 34, and the third connecting portion 35 are all normally housed between the first normal N1 and the second normal N2, that is, inside the opening and closing track of the tailgate 22. In other words, the link arm 30 is normally housed inside the opening and closing track of the tailgate 22. Therefore, the link arm 30 does not interfere with the member that was originally above the tailgate 22. Furthermore, since the auxiliary force F of the spring 40 in the latter half of the tailgate 22 opening operation is secured by the change in the position of the second arm 32 relative to the third connecting portion 35, it is not necessary to lengthen the first arm 31 and the second arm 32. Therefore, it is easy to position the link arm 30 between the sliding guide 51 and the tailgate 22. It is also easy to house the entire link arm 30 and spring 40 inside the input box body 21.

[0062] [Other embodiments] A preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the above embodiment is merely one example of an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms.

[0063] For example, in the above embodiment, the first arm 31 was configured in a straight shape and the second arm 32 in a hook shape. However, the shapes of the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 are not particularly limited as long as they perform their function. The shape of the tailgate 22 is also not limited. The tailgate 22 may be configured in a flat plate shape rather than a circular arc shape in cross-section. In that case, the opening and closing trajectory of the tailgate 22 may be straight when viewed from the side.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the rotation of the second arm 32 was stopped when the second arm 32 became substantially parallel to the tailgate 22 or came into contact with the tailgate 22. However, the rotation of the second arm 32 may also be stopped by a rotation-preventing mechanism of the second connecting portion 34 that restricts the range of rotation of the second arm 32.

[0065] Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments are not limited to the present invention. For example, the configuration of the loading device 50 is not particularly limited. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 10 Garbage collection vehicles 12 Refuse container 20 Garbage disposal box 21 Insertion box body 21a Inlet 22 Tailgate (door) 25 Guide section 30 Link Arms 31. First Arm 32. Second Arm 33 1st connection part 34 2nd connection part 35 Third connection part 40. Spring (biasing member) 50 Loading device 51 Sliding guide N1 1st normal N2 Second Normal

Claims

1. A box-shaped input box body with an input opening, A door that opens and closes the aforementioned input opening in the vertical direction, A guide portion extends vertically along the aforementioned opening and guides the movement of the door, A first arm positioned further inward from the door and the guide portion of the input box body, A second arm positioned further inward from the door and the guide portion of the input box body, A first connecting portion that rotatably connects one end of the first arm to the input box body, A second connecting portion that rotatably connects the other end of the first arm and one end of the second arm, A third connecting portion rotatably connects the other end of the second arm to the upper end of the door, The device comprises a biasing member, one end of which is connected to the second arm and the other end of which is connected to a portion of the input box body above the second arm, In a side view, when the door is in the closed position, the normal to the door at the third connecting portion is defined as the first normal, and when the door is in the open position, the normal to the door at the third connecting portion is defined as the second normal. In a side view, the first connecting portion is positioned between the first normal and the second normal. In a side view, the second connecting portion is located between the first normal and the second normal when the door is closed, open, and in an intermediate state between the closed and open states, and is located closer to the first normal than the first connecting portion when the door is closed. Garbage disposal box.

2. When the door is opened from the closed position, it rotates upward around the second connecting part, and then rotates upward around the first connecting part. The waste disposal box according to claim 1.

3. When the door is opened from the closed position, the first arm rotates downward around the first connecting portion or remains stationary before rotating upward. The waste disposal box according to claim 2.

4. The third connecting portion is located above the second connecting portion, at least after the first arm has begun to rotate upward. The waste disposal box according to claim 3.

5. The first connecting portion is positioned closer to the second normal than the midpoint between the first normal and the second normal. The waste disposal box according to claim 1.

6. The second connecting portion is located closer to the first normal than the midpoint between the first normal and the second normal when the door is closed. The waste disposal box according to claim 1.

7. The first arm is longer than the second arm. The waste disposal box according to claim 1.

8. One end of the biasing member is connected to the portion of the second arm that is closer to the second connecting portion than the center between the second connecting portion and the third connecting portion. The waste disposal box according to claim 1.

9. A garbage collection vehicle equipped with a garbage input box according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A waste collection box connected to the aforementioned input box body, The system further comprises a loading device that loads the waste deposited into the input box body from the input opening into the waste storage box, The aforementioned loading device is A sliding guide is positioned inside the main body of the input box and extends in the vertical direction, It comprises a sliding member configured to slide along the aforementioned sliding guide, which moves the waste placed in the input box body by drawing it in, The first arm, the second arm, the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, the third connecting portion, and the biasing member are positioned between the sliding guide and the door when viewed from the side. The garbage collection vehicle according to claim 9.

11. The first arm, the second arm, the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, the third connecting portion, and the biasing member are all housed inside the input box body. The garbage collection vehicle according to claim 10.

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