Container lifting and lowering device for garbage collection vehicle, and garbage collection vehicle with container lifting and lowering device for garbage collection vehicle

Abstract

The present invention is provided with: a base portion that is fixed to a garbage collection vehicle; a lifting and lowering mechanism that is attached to the base portion and has a tip end that is lifted and lowered relative to the base end; a lifting and lowering frame that is lifted and lowered by the lifting and lowering mechanism; a container holding portion that is lifted and lowered by the lifting and lowering mechanism; and a container inversion mechanism that tilts a container held by the container holding portion. The container inversion mechanism comprises: an inversion frame that rotates with respect to the lifting and lowering mechanism by a driving force from a drive source of the lifting and lowering mechanism; and an inversion link that restricts or allows the rotation of the inversion frame in accordance with a change in linear distance between a base portion-side connection position and an inversion frame-side connection position.

Description

Refuse collection vehicle container lifting device, and refuse collection vehicle equipped with a refuse collection vehicle container lifting device CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-085820 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-085821, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a container lifting device for a refuse collection vehicle, and a refuse collection vehicle equipped with the container lifting device for a refuse collection vehicle.

[0003] A garbage collection vehicle equipped with a lifting device at its rear is known. The lifting device inverts a container box containing collected garbage and deposits the garbage inside the container box into a garbage inlet of a rear loading compartment of the garbage collection vehicle. This lifting device, an example of a lifting mechanism, includes a pair of upper and lower parallel links whose base ends are attached to both ends of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction, a swing plate attached to the tips of the pair of upper and lower parallel links, a lifting plate rotatably attached between the left and right swing plates, a lifting cylinder for raising and lowering the pair of upper and lower parallel links, and a flipping cylinder for rotating the lifting plate to change the position of the lifting plate between a vertical position, a horizontal position, and an inverted position (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] To invert the container box and deposit the trash inside the container box into the trash inlet of the rear loading box, the lifting cylinder is operated to raise the swing plate, and the inverting cylinder is operated to place the lifting plate in a vertical position. In this state, the container box is locked and fixed to a pair of left and right container box latches provided on the lifting plate. Next, the inverting cylinder is extended to rotate the lifting plate and gradually invert the container box. This causes the trash inside the container box to move under its own weight into the trash inlet of the rear loading box.

[0005] The above-mentioned lifting device requires a dedicated reversing cylinder for rotating the lifting plate in addition to a lifting cylinder for raising the swing plate, which is disadvantageous in terms of cost.

[0006] Furthermore, as an example of a lifting mechanism, the lifting device includes a pair of parallel links attached to both ends of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction, a lifting plate attached to the ends of the pair of parallel links and having a container box latch that engages with the container box, and a lifting cylinder that drives the pair of parallel links, and the extension and contraction of the lifting cylinder drives the parallel links to lift and lower the container box together with the lifting plate (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0007] If there is a difference in the positions of the base ends of the pair of parallel links attached to the vehicle body, for example, vertically, the parallel links will become twisted, causing problems when the container box is lifted.As such, high precision is required for the positioning of the parallel links, making the installation of the lifting device a time-consuming and cumbersome task.

[0008] Japanese National Publication No. 58-196304

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a container lifting device for a garbage collection vehicle that does not require a dedicated drive source for reversing, and a garbage collection vehicle equipped with the same.

[0010] The container lifting device for a refuse collection vehicle according to the present disclosure comprises: a base disposed around the refuse collection vehicle; a lifting mechanism attached to the base and configured such that its tip can be raised and lowered relative to the base end which is the end on the attached side; a lifting frame raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism; a container holding section raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism while holding a container that temporarily stores refuse to be collected by the refuse collection vehicle; and a container tipping mechanism that at least tilts the container held in the container holding section; the base is fixed to the body of the refuse collection vehicle; the lifting mechanism comprises a drive source that generates a drive force for the lifting and lowering; the container tipping mechanism comprises an inversion frame and an inversion link; the inversion frame is rotatably attached to the lifting mechanism and rotates relative to the lifting mechanism upon receiving a drive force transmitted from the drive source of the lifting mechanism; and the inversion link comprises one end connected to the base and the other end connected to the inversion frame, The linear distance between the connection position with the base at one end and the connection position with the inversion frame at the other end is configured to change, and the rotation of the inversion frame is restricted or allowed depending on the change in the linear distance.

[0011] In the container lifting device for a garbage collection vehicle according to the present disclosure, the inversion link may be configured to change between an extension stage in which the linear distance between the connection position with the base at one end and the connection position with the inversion frame at the other end changes, and a maximum extension stage in which the linear distance is at its maximum.

[0012] In the container lifting device for a garbage collection vehicle according to the present disclosure, when the lifting frame rises from the lowest end of its range of movement to an intermediate position, the reverse link may be in the extension / contraction stage, thereby lifting the container without rotating it, and when the lifting frame rises above the intermediate position, the reverse link may be in the maximum extension stage, thereby rotating the container.

[0013] Another disclosed container lifting device for a garbage collection vehicle comprises a base that is arranged around the garbage collection vehicle, a plurality of lifting mechanisms attached to the base and configured so that their tips move up and down relative to the base end, which is the end on the attached side, and a container holding unit that is raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism while holding a container that temporarily stores garbage collected by the garbage collection vehicle, wherein the base is fixed to the body of the garbage collection vehicle, and the base end of each of the plurality of lifting mechanisms is attached to the base.

[0014] The container lifting device for a garbage collection vehicle according to the other disclosure further comprises a container inversion mechanism that at least tilts the container held in the container holding portion, the container inversion mechanism comprising an inversion frame and an inversion link, the inversion frame being rotatably attached to the lifting mechanism and rotating relative to the lifting mechanism upon receiving a driving force transmitted from the lifting mechanism, the inversion link having one end connected to the base and the other end connected to the inversion frame, and configured such that the linear distance between the connection position with the base at the one end and the connection position with the inversion frame at the other end changes, and the rotation of the inversion frame may be restricted or permitted depending on the change in the linear distance.

[0015] In the container lifting device for a garbage collection vehicle according to the other disclosure, the base has a horizontal axis extending along the vehicle body, and the lifting mechanism has a plurality of sets of a lifting arm that rises and falls relative to the vehicle body and a pivot part that rotatably supports the lifting arm, and the pivot part may be attached to the horizontal axis.

[0016] In the container lifting device for a garbage collection vehicle according to the other disclosure, the pivotal support portion may have an abutment portion for the horizontal shaft, and the abutment portion may abut against the horizontal shaft in a direction along a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the horizontal shaft.

[0017] A refuse collection vehicle according to yet another disclosure includes a refuse collection vehicle container lifting device according to any of the present disclosures described above, or a refuse collection vehicle container lifting device according to any of the other disclosures described above.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a side view of the rear of a garbage collection vehicle equipped with a garbage collection vehicle container lifting device according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the garbage collection vehicle as seen from the rear. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the garbage collection vehicle container lifting device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 2. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a state immediately before a container is held by the garbage collection vehicle container lifting device and lifted. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the attitude of the reversing links in the state of FIG. 6A. FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a state in which the lifting cylinder has been operated to the extension side to lift the container. FIG. 7B is a diagram showing the attitude of the reversing links in the state of FIG. 7A. FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a state in which the container has been further lifted than in FIG. 7A. FIG. 8B is a diagram showing the attitude of the reversing links in the state of FIG. 8A. FIG. 9A is a diagram showing a state in which the container has been further lifted than in FIG. 8A. FIG. 9B is a diagram showing the attitude of the reversing links in the state of FIG. 9A. FIG. 10A is a diagram showing a state in which the container has been further raised from FIG. 9A and the reversing frame is at its maximum raised position. FIG. 10B is a diagram showing the posture of the reversing link in the state of FIG. 10A. FIG. 11A is a diagram showing a state in which the reversing frame has started to rotate counterclockwise from the maximum raised position. FIG. 11B is a diagram showing the posture of the reversing link in the state of FIG. 11A. FIG. 11C is a diagram showing the posture of the fall-off prevention member in the state of FIG. 11A. FIG. 12A is a diagram showing a state in which the reversing frame has further rotated counterclockwise from the state of FIG. 11A. FIG. 12B is a diagram showing the posture of the reversing link in the state of FIG. 12A. FIG. 12C is a diagram showing the posture of the fall-off prevention member in the state of FIG. 12A. FIG. 13A is a diagram showing a state in which the reversing frame has further rotated counterclockwise from the state of FIG. 12A. FIG. 13B is a diagram showing the posture of the reversing link in the state of FIG. 13A. FIG. 13C is a diagram showing the posture of the fall-off prevention member in the state of FIG. 13A. Fig. 14A is a diagram showing a state in which the reversing frame has rotated to the maximum rotation position and garbage in the container can be thrown into the garbage inlet. Fig. 14B is a diagram showing the attitude of the reversing link in the state of Fig. 14A. Fig. 14C is a diagram showing the attitude of the fall-off prevention member in the state of Fig. 14A. Fig. 15 is an overall side view of the garbage collection vehicle. Fig. 16 is a hydraulic circuit diagram.

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a garbage collection vehicle will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] 1 and 2 show a garbage bin 2 provided at the rear of a garbage collection truck 1. The garbage collection truck 1 collects garbage such as trash from homes and businesses and transports it to a disposal facility. In the following description, the front-to-rear direction of the garbage collection truck 1 will be referred to as the front-to-rear direction, and the width direction of the garbage collection truck 1 will be referred to as the left-to-right direction.

[0021] A garbage collection vehicle container lifting device (hereinafter simply referred to as the lifting device) 3 for lifting and lowering a container 6 (see Figure 6A) described below is arranged at the rear of the garbage bin 2 of the garbage collection vehicle 1.

[0022] The lifting device 3 comprises a base 4 arranged at the rear of the periphery of the garbage collection vehicle 1, multiple lifting mechanisms 5, 5 (in this embodiment, a pair on the left and right) attached to the base 4 and configured so that their tips move up and down relative to the base end which is the end on the attached side, a container holding part 7 which holds a container 6 that temporarily stores garbage collected by the garbage collection vehicle 1 and is raised and lowered by the lifting mechanisms 5, 5, and a container inversion mechanism 8 which tilts the container 6 held by the container holding part 7.

[0023] As described above, in the garbage collection vehicle 1, the multiple lifting mechanisms 5, 5 are attached to the vehicle body via a single base 4 that serves as a reference. Therefore, compared to when each of the multiple lifting mechanisms 5, 5 is attached directly to the vehicle body, there is less chance of misalignment in the up-down, front-rear, or left-right positions when facing the vehicle body during attachment. This makes it easier to attach the lifting devices 3 to the vehicle body, improving workability during attachment.

[0024] The base 4 includes a pipe 41 as a horizontal axis extending along the body of the refuse collection vehicle 1 (in the left-right direction in this embodiment). The pipe 41 is cylindrical and made of metal. The pipe 41 is fixed to the body (refuse bin 2) via two pairs of left and right fixing members 9, 9, which will be described later, and a pair of left and right pivots 53, 53, which will be described later. In this embodiment, a case where one base 4 is provided is shown, but a plurality of bases 4 (any number of two or more) may also be provided.

[0025] As described above, since the pivotal support portions 53, 53 are attached to the horizontal shaft (pipe 41), it is easy to form the base 4 that allows the lifting device 3 to be easily attached to the vehicle body (garbage bin 2).

[0026] Each lifting mechanism 5 is composed of a quadruple parallel link mechanism. The lifting mechanism 5 includes a pair of parallel upper and lower lifting arms 51, 52 that rise and fall relative to the vehicle body (garbage bin 2), a pivot 53 that pivots the base ends of each of the pair of upper and lower lifting arms 51, 52 so that they can rotate about a horizontal axis, and a lifting frame 54 to which the distal ends of each of the lifting arms 51, 52 are pivotally connected. The upper lifting arm 51 is composed of two arms 51A, 51A spaced apart in the left-right direction, and the lower lifting arm 52, like the upper lifting arm 51, is also composed of two arms 52A, 52A spaced apart in the left-right direction.

[0027] 1 and 3, the pivotal support parts 53 are attached to both ends of the pipe 41 and fixed by welding to the left and right side walls 2A of the garbage bin 2 of the garbage collection vehicle 1. Specifically, each pivotal support part 53 includes a pair of left and right pivotal support part bodies 531 that are long in the vertical direction, and a fixing part 532 that is connected to these pivotal support part bodies 531 and fixed to the vehicle body (garbage bin 2) by welding. The fixing part 532 includes an inclined plate part 532A that is positioned more outward as it extends toward the rear, and an oval-shaped through-hole 532K is formed in the inclined plate part 532A. A support member 13 is welded to the upper end of the through-hole 532K for inserting and supporting a hydraulic hose (not shown) for supplying hydraulic oil from an oil tank provided in a separate location to cylinders 25, 31, 32, and 33 (see FIGS. 15 and 16) described below that are provided inside the refuse collection vehicle 1. This support member 13 is formed by bending a round bar with a circular cross section into a substantially annular shape so as to function as a guide member for preventing the hydraulic hose from being scraped by sliding against the hydraulic hose that moves back and forth as the cylinders 32, 31, 33, and 25 expand and contract.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1 , each pivot support body 531 has four circular through-holes 531A, 531B, 531C, and 531D formed at intervals in the vertical direction. The base end of the upper lift arm 51 is pivotally connected to the first through-hole 531A (the first from the top) via a shaft 51a. The base end of the cylinder tube 16A of the telescopic cylinder 16 (described later) is pivotally connected to the second through-hole 531B (the second from the top) via a shaft 16C. One end of the pipe 41 passes through the third through-hole 531C (the third from the top) and is fixed thereto by welding. The third through-hole 531C also forms an abutment that abuts against the pipe 41 in a direction along a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the pipe 41. The base end of the lower lift arm 52 is pivotally connected to the fourth through-hole 531D (the fourth from the top) via a shaft 52a.

[0029] As described above, the pivot portions 53, 53 are positioned in the vertical and front-to-rear directions by the abutment between the abutment portions (the inner surface of the third through hole 531C) of the pivot portions 53, 53 and the horizontal axis (the outer surface of the pipe 41), but they may also be positioned only in the vertical direction or only in the front-to-rear direction.

[0030] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, two pairs of left and right fixing members 9, 9 fixed to the vehicle body (garbage bin 2) by welding are disposed between the left and right pivotal support portions 53, 53. Each of the pair of left and right fixing members 9, 9 is plate-shaped. As shown in Figure 4, each fixing member 9 has an upper end 9A, an intermediate portion 9B extending downward from the lower end of the upper end 9A, and a lower end 9C extending forward from the lower end of the intermediate portion 9B. Two connecting plates 10, 11 are disposed between the inner surfaces of the upper end 9A, and the left and right ends of the connecting plates 10, 11 are welded to the respective upper end 9A, thereby integrating the pair of left and right fixing members 9, 9 and the two connecting plates 10, 11. A through hole 9K is formed in the lower end 9C, through which the pipe 41 passes and is fixed by welding. The pipe 41 is fixed to the vehicle body (garbage bin 2) via two sets of fixing members 9, 9, 9, 9.

[0031] The upper end 9A is formed to protrude rearward in an arc shape, with a horizontal surface at the apex 9a. The front and rear end faces of the middle portion 9B are formed to follow the up-down direction. The front end face 9b of this middle portion 9B is welded to a horizontal frame 12 provided at the lower rear end of the trash bin 2. Specifically, the horizontal frame 12 extends in the left-right direction and has a substantially pentagonal cross section. The front end face 9b of the middle portion 9B is welded to a rear plate portion 12B of the horizontal frame 12 that follows the up-down direction while abutting the rear plate portion 12B. The lower end portion 9C is located forward of the middle portion 9B and comprises a front plate portion 9D which is welded to the diagonal plate portion 12F at the front lower portion of the horizontal frame 12 while abutting against the diagonal plate portion 12F, and a rear plate portion 9E which extends rearward from the rear end of the front plate portion 9D and is welded to the horizontal plate portion 12A at the rear lower portion of the horizontal frame 12 while abutting against the horizontal plate portion 12A.

[0032] One of the two connecting plates 10, 11 is formed by a horizontally oriented first connecting plate extending in the front-to-rear direction at the vertically intermediate portion of the upper end portion 9A. The other of the two connecting plates 10, 11 is formed by a second connecting plate extending obliquely upward and forward from approximately the center of the first connecting plate 10 in the front-to-rear direction. The first connecting plate 10 functions as a blocking member that blocks the extension of the inversion link 82, which will be described later.

[0033] The guide member 15 is attached to the upper end of the fixed member 9. As described below, this guide member 15 guides trash discharged from the opening 6A of the tilted container 6 to the trash inlet 2K of the trash bin 2. The guide member 15 is made of metal and configured as a plate-shaped table. The guide member 15 has a substantially triangular upper end 15A that abuts the upper end 9A of the fixed member 9 from above, and a lower end 15B that bends diagonally downward and forward from the front lower end of the upper end 15A and abuts the horizontal frame 12. Therefore, trash discharged from the opening 6A of the tilted container 6 is guided by the upper surface of the guide member 15 and reliably deposited into the trash bin 2.

[0034] 2 and 3 , the lifting frame 54 is pivotally connected to the tip ends of a pair of upper and lower lifting arms 51, 52. Specifically, the lifting frame 54 includes a pair of left and right plate-shaped vertical members 541, 541 disposed at both left and right ends of the lifting frame 54, a first pipe 542 elongated in the left-right direction and penetrating the upper ends of the vertical members 541, 541, a second pipe 543 elongated in the left-right direction and penetrating approximately the center of the vertical members 541, 541, a third pipe 544 connecting the lower ends of the vertical members 541, 541, and a plate-shaped connecting member 545 located laterally inward of the vertical members 541, 541, and fixed by welding with the first pipe 542 and the second pipe 543 passing through the connecting member 545. The left and right ends of the first pipe 542 each penetrate the outer vertical member 541 and protrude outward. The protruding portion of the first pipe 542 that protrudes outward from the outer longitudinal member 541 in the left-right direction penetrates the tip of the upper lifting arm 51 and is rotatably connected to the tip. Furthermore, both left and right ends of the third pipe 544 protrude outward by penetrating the outer longitudinal member 541 in the left-right direction. The protruding portion of the third pipe 544 that protrudes outward from the outer longitudinal member 541 in the left-right direction is rotatably connected to the tip of the lower lifting arm 52 and is therefore raised and lowered while maintaining its up-and-down position as the lifting arms 51, 52 swing due to the extension and contraction of the telescopic cylinder 16, which will be described later.

[0035] 1 and 3, the upper lifting arm 51 includes a first extension 511 extending further toward the tip from the portion where the tip of the lifting arm 51 is pivotally supported by the vertical member 541, and a second extension 512 extending downward from the end of the first extension 511 at an angle of 90° relative to the first extension 511. Between the second extension 512 of the upper lifting arm 51 and approximately the center in the vertical direction of the pivot support part 53, a telescopic cylinder 16 is disposed as a drive source (actuator) that generates a drive force for swinging the upper lifting arm 51. When the telescopic cylinder 16 extends, the lifting arms 51, 52 move upward, and when the telescopic cylinder 16 contracts, the lifting arms 51, 52 move downward.

[0036] 6A, the container 6 includes a cylindrical container body 61 with a bottom and a generally rectangular opening at the top in a plan view, a flange 62 extending forward from one side (front side) of the top of the container body 61, and a hanging portion 63 extending downward from the outer peripheral edge of the flange 62 and capable of being engaged with and disengaged from a claw 7A (described later). The hanging portion 63 is formed in a stepped shape.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3 , the container holding portion 7 is composed of claws 7A provided at the rear end of a horizontal plate portion 811b of an inversion frame main body 811 of an inversion frame 81 (described later). The container holding portion 7 of this embodiment is composed of a plurality of claws 7A (eight in this embodiment). These claws 7A extend upward from the horizontal plate portion 811b at intervals in the left-right direction. Each claw 7A is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate. The front hanging portion 63 of the container 6 is engaged with the inner side of these claws 7A, allowing the container holding portion 7 to hold the container 6.

[0038] The container inverting mechanism 8 is a mechanism that changes the orientation of the opening 6A of the container 6 by tilting the container 6 held by the container holding part 7. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, the container inverting mechanism 8 includes a metal inverting frame 81 and a metal inverting link 82.

[0039] The inverting frame 81 is rotatably attached to the lifting frame 54 that constitutes the lifting mechanism 5. The inverting frame 81 rotates relative to the lifting mechanism 5 upon receiving driving force transmitted from the drive source (telescopic cylinder 16) of the lifting mechanism 5. Specifically, the inverting frame 81 includes an inverting frame main body 811 that is long in the left-right direction, and a pair of left and right vertical brackets 812, 812 that are long in the up-down direction and fixed by welding to both left and right ends of the inverting frame main body 811. The inverting frame main body 811 has a vertical plate portion 811a that extends in the up-down direction, and a horizontal plate portion 811b that is bent rearward from the lower end of the vertical plate portion 811a, and is generally L-shaped in side view.

[0040] As described above, by providing the reversing frame 81 that rotates relative to the lifting mechanism 5 upon receiving the driving force transmitted from the driving source (telescopic cylinder 16) of the lifting mechanism 5, the driving source (telescopic cylinder 16) of the lifting mechanism 5 can also serve as the driving source for rotating the reversing frame 81. This eliminates the need for a dedicated driving source (actuator) for reversing.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4 , each vertical bracket 812 is supported by the first pipe 542 of the lifting frame 54 so as to be rotatable about the left-right axis X1 at a position slightly above the vertical center of the vertical bracket 812 and toward the front. Each vertical bracket 812 includes an upper portion 812A having a larger front-to-rear dimension than the other portions, and a lower portion 812B having a front portion cut out so that the front-to-rear dimension is smaller than that of the upper portion 812A. By including this lower portion 812B on the vertical bracket 812, the lower portion 812B of the vertical bracket 812, which is supported by the first pipe 542 through the vertical bracket 812, does not interfere with the second pipe 543 and the third pipe 544 of the lifting frame 54. Plate-shaped blocking members 811A (see FIG. 3 ), which are generally triangular in side view, are fixed to both left and right ends of the inverting frame main body 811. For example, even if the container 6 unexpectedly moves left or right when being raised or lowered on a slope, the left and right ends of the container 6 abut against the blocking members 811A or 811A, thereby preventing further left or right movement of the container 6.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, the lower ends of the left and right vertical brackets 812, 812, 812, 812 are connected by a connecting pipe 813 that passes through the lower ends, and a cushion rubber 814 that is long in the left-right direction and acts as a buffer when the front surface of the container 6 abuts against it is attached to the rear surface of the connecting pipe 813 via an attachment member 815.

[0043] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, a pair of inversion links 82 are provided, spaced apart in the left-right direction. One end of each inversion link 82 is rotatably connected to the fixed members 9, 9 of the base 4, and the other end is rotatably connected to the inversion frame 81. Specifically, each inversion link 82 is configured as an elongated plate and includes a pair of left and right first links 82A, 82A (see Figure 2) pivotally connected between upper ends 9A, 9A of the fixed members 9, 9, and a second link 82B pivotally connected while sandwiched between the tips of the first links 82A, 82A and having a dimension longer than the first link 82A. The tip of the second link 82B is pivotally supported between left and right vertical brackets 812, 812 of the inversion frame 81. In this way, the reversing link 82 is composed of the first links 82A, 82A and the second link 82B, so that the linear distance L (see FIG. 4) between the connection position of one end (base end) of the first links 82A, 82A with the fixed member 9 and the connection position of the other end (tip end) of the second link 82B with the reversing frame 81 changes. The reversing link 82 limits (does not allow) or allows rotation of the reversing frame 81 according to the change in the linear distance L.

[0044] As described above, the reversing frame 81 is attached to the lifting mechanisms 5, 5, and the reversing link 82 is connected to the base 4, so even if the reversing frame 81 and the reversing link 82 are provided, it is easy to attach the container lifting device 3 to the vehicle body. Furthermore, the reversing link 82 is configured to change between an extension / contraction stage (see FIGS. 6A to 9A) in which the linear distance L changes, and a maximum extension stage (see FIGS. 10A to 14A) in which the linear distance L is at its maximum. This allows the operation of the reversing frame 81 to be changed at each stage during the lifting and lowering of the lifting mechanisms 5, 5, that is, the reversing frame 81 can be changed from lifting and lowering to rotating.

[0045] Furthermore, when the lifting frame 54 rises from the lowest end of its range of movement to an intermediate position (see FIGS. 6A to 9A), the inverting links 82 reach the extension / contraction stage, restricting (preventing) the rotation of the inverting frame 81, and the container 6 rises without rotating. When the lifting frame 54 rises above the intermediate position (see FIGS. 10A to 14A), the inverting links 82 transition to the maximum extension stage, causing the container 6 to rotate. In this way, when the lifting frame 54 rises above the intermediate position, the inverting links 82 transition to the maximum extension stage, changing the operation of the inverting frame 81 from rising to rotating.

[0046] The reversing frame 81 is also provided with a drop (detachment) prevention member 17. When the container 6 tilts, the drop (detachment) prevention member 17 releases the hanging portion 63 of the container 6 that is engaged with the claws 7A of the reversing frame 81, thereby preventing the container 6 from dropping (disengaging) from the claws 7A.

[0047] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the fall-prevention member 17 includes a contact portion 17A that is elongated in the left-right direction and contacts the flange portion 62 (see Figure 6A) of the container 6, and a pair of left and right brackets 17B, 17B attached to two left and right locations of the contact portion 17A and extending diagonally downward and forward. Approximately the longitudinal center of each bracket 17B, 17B is attached to a plate-shaped support member 18 that is attached to the inversion frame 81 and extends diagonally upward and forward, so as to be rotatable about a left-right axis X2. The lower end of each bracket 17B, 17B is pivotally connected to a tongue 541A provided on the upper end of a vertical member 541 of the lifting frame 54 and extending forward, by a plate-shaped connecting member 19. When the lifting frame 54 rises above a predetermined raised position, the fall-prevention member 17 rotates counterclockwise and comes into contact with the flange portion 62 of the container 6.

[0048] The following describes the procedure for raising and lowering the container 6 using the lifting device 3 configured as described above, thereby dumping the garbage inside the container 6 into the garbage collection vehicle 1. Note that, because the movement (posture) of the reversing link 82 cannot be grasped from the side views of Figures 6A, 7A, 8A, 9A, and 10A, side views in which the lifting device 3 is cut at a position where the reversing link 82 can be seen have been added as Figures 6B, 7B, 8B, 9B, and 10B.

[0049] In Fig. 6A , the hanging portion 63 of the container 6 is engaged with the claws 7A of the lifting device 3, which is in the lowered position, thereby setting the container 6 on the lifting device 3. In Fig. 6B , the container 6 is at the same height position as in Fig. 6A , and the postures of the first links 82A, 82A and the second link 82B change in accordance with the linear distance L between the connection position of one end (base end) of the first links 82A, 82A of the reversing link 82 with the fixed member 9 of the base 4 and the connection position of the other end (tip end) of the second link 82B of the reversing link 82 with the vertical bracket 812 of the reversing frame 81.

[0050] From the set state shown in Figure 6A, by operating a switch (not shown), the telescopic cylinder 16 is extended. As a result, as shown in Figure 7A, the lifting mechanism 5 rises, and the container 6 rises. Figure 7B shows the same raised position as in Figure 7A, but the other end (tip) of the second link 82B of the reversing link 82 rises as the lifting mechanism 5 rises, and the connection position of the other end (tip) of the second link 82B to the vertical bracket 812 of the reversing frame 81 approaches the connection position of one end (base end) of the first links 82A, 82A of the reversing link 82 to the fixed member 9 of the base 4. This changes the linear distance L, and the posture of the second link 82B changes accordingly.

[0051] Figure 8A shows a state in which the lifting mechanism 5 is further elevated from the state shown in Figure 7A due to the extension of the telescopic cylinder 16, and the container 6 is elevated. Figure 8B shows the same elevated position as in Figure 8A, with the postures of the first links 82A, 82A and the second link 82B changing in accordance with the linear distance L.

[0052] FIG. 9A shows the state in which the lifting mechanism 5 is further elevated from the state in FIG. 8A due to the extension of the telescopic cylinder 16, and the container 6 is elevated. FIG. 9B shows the same elevated position as FIG. 9A , except that the connection position of the other end (tip end) of the second link 82B of the reversing link 82 with the vertical bracket 812 of the reversing frame 81 moves away from the connection position of one end (base end) of the first link 82A of the reversing link 82 with the fixed member 9 of the base 4. This changes the linear distance L, and the postures of the first links 82A and the second link 82B change in accordance with this linear distance L. The first links 82A and 82A shown in FIG. 8B are pulled by the second link 82B and rotate counterclockwise, resulting in the first links 82A and the second link 82B taking the posture shown in FIG. 9B .

[0053] FIG. 10A shows a state in which the lifting mechanism 5 is further elevated from the state shown in FIG. 9A due to the extension of the telescopic cylinder 16, thereby lifting the container 6. FIG. 10B shows the same elevated position as FIG. 10A , except that the connection position between the other end (tip end) of the second link 82B of the reversing link 82 and the vertical bracket 812 of the reversing frame 81 moves further away from the connection position between one end (base end) of the first link 82A of the reversing link 82 and the fixed member 9 of the base 4. This changes the linear distance L, and the postures of the first links 82A and the second link 82B change in accordance with this linear distance L. The first links 82A and 82A shown in FIG. 9B are pulled by the second link 82B and rotate counterclockwise, assuming the posture shown in FIG. 10B. At this time, the first links 82A, 82A abut against the connecting plate 10, restricting the counterclockwise rotation of the first links 82A, 82A. As a result, when the lifting mechanism 5 is further elevated, the second link 82B rotates counterclockwise about the connecting portion 20 with the first links 82A, 82A, and the vertical bracket 812 of the reversing frame 81 begins to tilt forward. As the vertical bracket 812 of the reversing frame 81 begins to tilt forward, the posture of the fall-prevention member 17 also changes. For this reason, side views in which the lifting device 3 is cut at a position where the fall-prevention member 17 can be seen are added as Figures 11C, 12C, 13C, and 14C.

[0054] 10A and 10B, as described above, the first link 82A abuts against the connecting plate 10, restricting the counterclockwise rotation of the first links 82A, 82A, and therefore, when the lifting mechanism 5 further rises, the second link 82B rotates counterclockwise about the connecting portion 20 with the first links 82A, 82A, and the vertical bracket 812 of the reversing frame 81 and the container 6 held by the vertical bracket 812 start to assume a forward tilting position (see FIGS. 11A and 11B). At this time, as the vertical bracket 812 of the reversing frame 81 assumes a forward tilting position, the connecting member 19 that connects the fall-off prevention member 17 to the lifting frame 54 also begins to assume a forward tilting position (see FIG. 11C).

[0055] When the lifting mechanism 5 is further raised from the state shown in Figure 11A due to the extension of the telescopic cylinder 16, the second link 82B further rotates counterclockwise around the connecting portion 20 with the first links 82A, 82A. As a result, as shown in Figures 12A and 12B, the vertical bracket 812 of the reversing frame 81 and the container 6 further tilt forward. At this time, the connecting member 19 tilts further forward compared to Figure 11C, and the abutment portion 17A of the fall-off prevention member 17 approaches the flange portion 62 of the container 6 (see Figure 12C).

[0056] When the telescopic cylinder 16 is extended, the lifting mechanism 5 rises further from the state shown in Figure 12A, causing the second link 82B to further rotate counterclockwise around the connecting portion 20 between the first links 82A, 82A. As a result, as shown in Figures 13A and 13B, the vertical bracket 812 of the reversing frame 81 and the container 6 assume a further forward-leaning position, i.e., an inclined position in which the upper end of the container 6 is positioned lower than the lower end. At this time, the connecting member 19 assumes a further forward-leaning position compared to Figure 12C, and the abutting portion 17A of the anti-fall-off member 17 rotates to a position where it abuts against the flange portion 62 of the container 6 (see Figure 13C). This prevents the container 6 from moving forward and preventing it from falling off the claws 7A.

[0057] When the telescopic cylinder 16 is extended, the lifting mechanism 5 rises further from the state shown in Figure 13A, causing the second link 82B to further rotate counterclockwise around the connecting portion 20 between the first links 82A, 82A. As a result, as shown in Figures 14A and 14B, the vertical bracket 812 of the reversing frame 81 and the container 6 tilt further forward, causing the garbage in the container 6 to move under its own weight into the garbage bin 2. At this time, the connecting member 19 tilts further forward compared to Figure 13C, and the abutting portion 17A of the fall-prevention member 17 remains in contact with the flange portion 62 of the container 6 (see Figure 14C). This prevents the container 6 from moving forward and preventing the container 6 from falling off the claws 7A.

[0058] After the garbage in the container 6 has been dumped into the garbage dump box 2, the lifting device 3 operates in the opposite direction to the above-mentioned operation by operating a switch (not shown), returning to the state shown in Figure 6A, and then the container 6 is removed from the claws 7A and returned to the specified position, completing the work.

[0059] The refuse collection vehicle 1 will now be described in further detail. As shown in Figure 15, the refuse collection vehicle 1 comprises a driver's seat 21, a refuse collection box 23 fixed to a chassis 22 behind the driver's seat 21, the above-mentioned refuse drop box 2 connected to the rear side of the refuse collection box 23, a discharge plate 24 provided within the refuse collection box 23, a discharge actuator 25 connected to the discharge plate 24, and a hydraulic circuit 26 (see Figure 16) connected to the discharge actuator 25 so that hydraulic oil can flow in and out. The refuse collection box 23 has a discharge port 23A that communicates with the outside of the refuse collection box 23.

[0060] The garbage bin 2 is configured to be rotatable relative to the garbage collection box 23 about a left-right axis X3 at the upper end of the garbage collection box 23 so as to open and close the discharge outlet 23A. The two-dot chain line in Fig. 15 indicates the rotated position of the garbage bin 2 when the discharge outlet 23A is open, and the solid line in Fig. 15 indicates the rotated position of the garbage bin 2 when the discharge outlet 23A is closed. The garbage bin 2 also includes a hydraulically driven loading device 27 that moves the garbage that has been put into the garbage collection box 23.

[0061] The loading device 27 includes a slider 28 and a push plate 29 rotatably attached to the lower end of the slider 28 via a pin P. The slider 28 moves along guide rails 30 provided on the left and right side walls 2A, 2A of the garbage bin 2. A pair of push cylinders 31 is attached between the slider 28 and the left and right side walls 2A, 2A on both the left and right sides of the garbage bin 2. In addition, a pair of press cylinders 32 is attached between the push plate 29 and the slider 28. The push cylinders 31 and the press cylinders 32 are loading hydraulic actuators in the loading device 27.

[0062] The operation of the loading device 27 will be described. First, the press cylinder 32 is retracted from the position shown by the solid line in Figure 15, causing the push plate 29 to rotate counterclockwise and reverse (reversal process). Next, the push cylinder 31 is retracted, causing the slider 28 and push plate 29 to descend diagonally backward, and the garbage introduced through the inlet 2K is compressed by the push plate 29 (primary compression process). Then, the press cylinder 32 is extended, causing the push plate 29 to rotate clockwise, and the garbage is secondarily compressed (secondary compression process).

[0063] Next, from the state shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 15, the push cylinder 31 is extended, causing the slider 28 and the pusher plate 29 to rise diagonally forward to the state shown by the solid line in Fig. 15, and the secondarily compressed garbage is pushed into the garbage storage box 23 (pushing process). In this way, the loading device 27 loads the garbage thrown into the garbage drop box 2 into the garbage storage box 23 by performing a loading process cycle consisting of the reversing process, the primary compression process, the secondary compression process, and the pushing process.

[0064] The discharge plate 24 is provided in the garbage collection box 23 so as to be reciprocatable between the discharge opening 23A and the rear wall (the wall at the front of the vehicle) of the garbage collection box 23. The discharge actuator 25 is hydraulically driven. This discharge actuator 25 is composed of a telescopic discharge cylinder connected to the discharge plate 24 so as to reciprocate the discharge plate 24. By driving the discharge cylinder 25 to extend and retract, the discharge plate 24 moves between the rearmost position shown by the solid line in FIG. 15 and the frontmost position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 15.

[0065] When the garbage collection box 23 is empty, the discharge plate 24 is in its rearmost position, and when garbage is loaded into the garbage collection box 23 by the push plate 29, it is compressed between the push plate 29 and the discharge plate 24. The pressure generated when either the press cylinder 32 or the push cylinder 31, which are loading hydraulic actuators in the loading device 27, is driven is used to discharge hydraulic oil from the discharge cylinder 25 through a second pilot check valve 43B (described later), gradually shortening the discharge cylinder 25 and moving the discharge plate 24 forward. When the garbage drop box 2 is rotated upward by the extension of the pair of swing cylinders 33 shown in FIG. 16 (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 15), the discharge cylinder 25 is extended, moving the discharge plate 24 backward (see the solid line in FIG. 15), and the garbage stored in the garbage collection box 23 is discharged to the outside through the discharge port 23A.

[0066] 16 shows a hydraulic circuit 26. This hydraulic circuit 26 connects various actuators, namely, a press cylinder 32, a push cylinder 31, a discharge cylinder 25, a swing cylinder 33, and a tailgate lock cylinder 44, so that hydraulic oil can flow in and out of them. This hydraulic circuit 26 is configured by connecting an oil tank 34, a hydraulic pump 35 serving as a hydraulic pressure source, a relief valve 36A, a counterbalance valve 36B, a counterbalance valve 36C, a press cylinder selector valve 37, a push cylinder selector valve 38, a swing cylinder selector valve 39, a discharge cylinder selector valve 40, a tailgate lock selector valve 42, a first pilot check valve 43A, a second pilot check valve 43B, and a tailgate lock cylinder 44, as shown in the figure. The tailgate lock selector valve 42, the discharge cylinder selector valve 40, the swing cylinder selector valve 39, the push cylinder selector valve 38, and the press cylinder selector valve 37 are connected to the hydraulic pump 35 in this order from the upstream side of the hydraulic pump 35. The press cylinder switching valve 37 and the push cylinder switching valve 38 are a loading hydraulic pressure switching valve 49 in the loading device.

[0067] The first pilot check valve 43A is provided in a second oil passage 46 through which hydraulic oil flows to connect the discharge cylinder 25 and the oil tank 34 when the discharge plate 24 moves toward the rear wall of the trash container 23. The first pilot check valve 43A is a switching valve configured to switch between a connected state and a blocked state depending on a pilot pressure (described later). The second oil passage 46 branches off from a first oil passage 45 through which hydraulic oil is supplied from the discharge cylinder switching valve 40 to the extension side of the discharge cylinder 25, and is configured as an oil passage for returning hydraulic oil to the oil tank 34. A pilot oil passage 48 is connected to the first pilot check valve 43A. The pilot oil passage 48 guides the pressure generated in a third oil passage 47, through which hydraulic oil supplied from the hydraulic pump 35 is supplied to the press cylinder switching valve 37 or the push cylinder switching valve 38, as a pilot pressure. The pilot oil passage 48 is connected to the hydraulic pump 35 side (upstream) of the loading hydraulic pressure switching valve 49. Therefore, when the press cylinder 32 or the push cylinder 31 is not driven (e.g., the vehicle is moving), no pressure is applied to the third oil line 47, the first pilot check valve 43A is closed, and hydraulic oil is prevented from moving from the second oil line 46 to the oil tank 34. In contrast, when the press cylinder 32 or the push cylinder 31 is driven (moving trash to the trash collection box 23), pressure is applied to the third oil line 47. The pilot pressure generated by this pressure acts on the first pilot check valve 43A through the pilot oil line 48, opening the first pilot check valve 43A and establishing a communication state. This allows the extension-side hydraulic oil stored in the discharge cylinder 25 to flow from the second oil line 46 to the oil tank 34. As a result, the discharge plate 24 receives pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined pressure from the trash moving to the trash collection box 23, causing the discharge plate 24 to move forward. The pilot pressure is detected at a position closer to the hydraulic source (hydraulic pump 35) than the plurality of loading hydraulic actuators. Even if the hydraulic pump 35 is being driven (discharged), when the loading hydraulic pressure changeover valve 49 is in the loading stop position, the hydraulic oil simply passes through and is returned to the oil tank 34. As a result, no pressure is generated in the third oil line 47, and the first pilot check valve 43A remains closed.

[0068] In Figure 16, when the press cylinder selector valve 37, push cylinder selector valve 38, swing cylinder selector valve 39, discharge cylinder selector valve 40, and tailgate lock selector valve 42 do not receive a signal from a switch (not shown), they are positioned in a neutral position where the springs provided on both sides prevent hydraulic oil from being supplied to the cylinders from the hydraulic pump 35. Each selector valve is then moved to either the left or right in Figure 16 and switched in response to a signal from a switch (not shown).

[0069] When the press cylinder selector valve 37 or the push cylinder selector valve 38 is switched from the neutral position to supply hydraulic oil from the hydraulic pump 35 to the press cylinder 32 or the push cylinder 31, the press cylinder 32 or the push cylinder 31 is driven to extend or retract, thereby operating the loading device 27. When the discharge cylinder selector valve 40 is switched from the neutral position to supply hydraulic oil from the hydraulic pump 35 to the discharge cylinder 25, the discharge cylinder 25 is driven to extend or retract, thereby moving the discharge plate 24 back and forth. When the swing cylinder selector valve 39 is switched from the neutral position to supply hydraulic oil from the hydraulic pump 35 to the swing cylinder 33, the swing cylinder 33 is driven to extend or retract, thereby rotating the garbage bin 2 up and down. When the tailgate lock selector valve 42 is switched from the neutral position to supply hydraulic oil from the hydraulic pump 35 to the tailgate lock cylinder 44, the tailgate lock cylinder 44 is driven to extend or retract, thereby locking or unlocking the tailgate lock.

[0070] When a signal from a switch (not shown) moves the press cylinder switch valve 37 to the right, the press cylinder 32 is retracted (reversal process). When a signal from a switch (not shown) moves the press cylinder switch valve 37 to the left, the press cylinder 32 is extended (secondary compression process). When a signal from a switch (not shown) moves the push cylinder switch valve 38 to the right, the push cylinder 31 is retracted (primary compression process). When a signal from a switch (not shown) moves the push cylinder switch valve 38 to the left, the push cylinder 31 is extended (pushing process).

[0071] When a signal from a switch (not shown) moves the discharge cylinder switching valve 40 to the left, the discharge cylinder 25 is extended. When a signal from a switch (not shown) moves the discharge cylinder switching valve 40 to the right, the discharge cylinder 25 is retracted.

[0072] When the loading device 27 pushes garbage into the garbage storage box 23, one of the press cylinder 32 and push cylinder 31, which are loading hydraulic actuators, is driven. This drive compresses the garbage between the push plate 29 and the discharge plate 24, but the hydraulic oil accumulated on the extension side of the discharge cylinder 25 moves to the oil tank 34 due to the pilot pressure that is generated when the press cylinder 32 or push cylinder 31 is driven, allowing the discharge plate 24 to move forward. After the loading operation by the loading device 27 is completed and the garbage collection vehicle 1 is moving to the next collection site, the press cylinder 32 and push cylinder 31 are not driven, so the first pilot check valve 43A remains closed, thereby preventing the discharge plate 24 from moving forward.

[0073] The first pilot check valve 43A and the counterbalance valve 36B are connected in parallel to the oil tank 34, so that if an external impact is applied to the hydraulic circuit 26 while the refuse collection vehicle is traveling, hydraulic oil can be released from the counterbalance valve 36B. This prevents the discharge actuator 25 from buckling and the discharge plate 24 from being damaged by abnormally high pressure, improving safety.

[0074] A relief valve may be used as the switching valve. In this case, if the pressure of the relief valve is set to a high pressure, the forward movement of the discharge plate 24 during travel can be restricted. However, if the discharge plate 24 is pushed by the garbage during loading, it will not move forward until the same high pressure as the relief valve is applied, which may result in damage to the discharge plate 24. On the other hand, if the pressure of the relief valve is set to a low pressure, the discharge plate 24 will easily move forward during travel (for example, the discharge plate 24 will move forward every time the brakes are applied, which may cause travel disruption). Furthermore, the sliding resistance of the discharge plate 24 during movement varies from one individual to another due to manufacturing errors. This makes setting the pressure of the relief valve cumbersome, making it difficult to actually use a relief valve. Therefore, in this embodiment, a pilot check valve linked to the loading device is used.

[0075] The lifting device 3 of this embodiment includes a base 4 arranged around the refuse collection vehicle 1, a lifting mechanism 5 attached to the base 4 and configured such that its tip can be raised and lowered relative to the base end, which is the end on the attachment side, a lifting frame 54 raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism 5, a container holding unit 7 raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism 5 while holding a container 6 that temporarily stores refuse collected by the refuse collection vehicle 1, and a container inverting mechanism 8 that at least tilts the container 6 held by the container holding unit 7. The base 4 is fixed to the body of the refuse collection vehicle 1, the lifting mechanism 5 includes a drive source (in this embodiment, a telescopic cylinder 16) that generates drive force for lifting and lowering the container, and the container inverting mechanism 8 includes an inverting frame 81 and an inverting link 82. The inverting frame 81 is rotatably attached to the lifting mechanism 5 and rotates relative to the lifting mechanism 5 upon receiving drive force transmitted from the drive source (in this embodiment, a telescopic cylinder 16) of the lifting mechanism 5. In addition, the inversion link 82 has one end connected to the base 4 and the other end connected to the inversion frame 81, and is configured so that the linear distance L between the connection position with the base 4 at the one end and the connection position with the inversion frame 81 at the other end changes, and restricts or allows the rotation of the inversion frame 81 depending on the change in linear distance L.

[0076] In this way, by providing the reversing frame 81 that rotates relative to the lifting mechanism 5 upon receiving the driving force transmitted from the driving source of the lifting mechanism 5 (the telescopic cylinder 16 in this embodiment), the driving source of the lifting mechanism 5 (the telescopic cylinder 16 in this embodiment) can also serve as the driving source of the reversing frame 81. This eliminates the need for a dedicated reversing actuator.

[0077] In addition, in the lifting device 3 of this embodiment, the inversion link 82 is configured to change between an extension / contraction stage in which the linear distance L between the connection position with the base 4 at one end and the connection position with the inversion frame 81 at the other end changes, and a maximum extension stage in which the linear distance L is at its maximum.

[0078] This allows the operation of the reversing frame 81 to be changed at each stage during the raising and lowering of the lifting mechanisms 5, 5.

[0079] In the lifting device 3 of this embodiment, when the lifting frame 54 rises from the lowest end of the movement range to an intermediate position, the reversing link 82 enters the extension / contraction stage, thereby lifting the container 6 without rotating. When the lifting frame 54 rises above the intermediate position, the reversing link 82 enters the maximum extension stage, thereby rotating the container 6.

[0080] In this way, when the lifting frame 54 rises above the mid-way position, the reversing link 82 moves to the maximum extension stage, and the operation of the reversing frame 81 changes from rising to rotating.

[0081] The lifting device 3 of this embodiment comprises a base 4 arranged around the refuse collection vehicle 1, a plurality of (a pair of in this embodiment) lifting mechanisms 5, 5 attached to the base 4 and configured so that their tips move up and down relative to the base end which is the end on the attachment side, and a container holding unit 7 which is raised and lowered by the lifting mechanisms 5, 5 while holding a container 6 that temporarily stores refuse to be collected by the refuse collection vehicle 1. The base 4 is fixed to the body of the refuse collection vehicle 1, and the base end of each of the plurality of lifting mechanisms 5, 5 is attached to the base 4.

[0082] With this configuration, the multiple lifting mechanisms 5, 5 are attached to the vehicle body via a single base 4 that serves as a reference, so that misalignment of the left and right positions when facing the vehicle body is less likely to occur during attachment than when each of the multiple lifting mechanisms 5, 5 is attached directly to the vehicle body. This makes it easier to attach the lifting device 3 to the vehicle body, improving workability during attachment.

[0083] The lifting device 3 of this embodiment further includes a container inverting mechanism 8 that at least tilts the container 6 held by the container holding portion 7. The container inverting mechanism 8 includes an inverting frame 81 and an inverting link 82. The inverting frame 81 is rotatably attached to the lifting mechanisms 5, 5, and rotates relative to the lifting mechanisms 5, 5 upon receiving a driving force transmitted from the lifting mechanisms 5, 5. The inverting link 82 has one end connected to the base 4 and the other end connected to the inverting frame 81, and is configured so that the linear distance L between the connection position of the one end with the base 4 and the connection position of the other end with the inverting frame 81 changes, and the rotation of the inverting frame is restricted or permitted depending on the change in linear distance L.

[0084] According to the above configuration, the inversion frame 81 is attached to the lifting mechanism 5, 5, and the inversion link 82 is connected to the base 4, so even if the inversion frame 81 and the inversion link 82 are provided, it is easy to attach the lifting device 3 to the vehicle body.

[0085] In addition, in the lifting device 3 of this embodiment, the base 4 has a pipe (horizontal axis) 41 extending along the vehicle body, and the lifting mechanisms 5, 5 have multiple sets of lifting arms 51, 52 that rise and fall relative to the vehicle body and pivot parts 53 that pivotally support the lifting arms 51, 52, and the pivot parts 53 are attached to the pipe (horizontal axis) 41.

[0086] As described above, since the pivot portion 53 is attached to the pipe (horizontal shaft) 41, it is easy to form the base portion 4 that allows the lifting device 3 to be easily attached to the vehicle body.

[0087] In addition, in the lifting device 3 of this embodiment, the pivot portion 53 has a third through hole (abutment portion) 531C for the pipe (horizontal axis) 41, and the third through hole (abutment portion) 531C abuts against the pipe (horizontal axis) 41 in a direction along a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the pipe (horizontal axis) 41.

[0088] As described above, the pivot portion 53 is positioned by the abutment of the abutting portion of the pivot portion 53 and the pipe (horizontal shaft) 41 .

[0089] This embodiment also discloses a refuse collection vehicle 1 equipped with a lifting device 3 .

[0090] In addition, the garbage collection vehicle 1 of this embodiment comprises a chassis 22, a garbage storage box 23 fixed to the chassis 22, a garbage drop box 2 connected to the garbage storage box 23, a discharge plate 24 provided within the garbage storage box 23, a discharge actuator 25 connected to the discharge plate 24, and a hydraulic circuit 26 connected to the discharge actuator 25 so that hydraulic oil can flow in and out. The garbage storage box 23 has a discharge outlet 23A that communicates with the outside of the box, the garbage drop box 2 is movable relative to the garbage storage box 23 to open and close the discharge outlet 23A, and is equipped with a hydraulically driven loading device 27 that moves the garbage into the garbage storage box 23, the discharge plate 24 is arranged within the garbage storage box 23 so as to be able to move back and forth between the discharge outlet 23A and the rear wall of the garbage storage box 23, and the discharge actuator 25 is hydraulically driven and connected to the discharge plate 24 so as to move the discharge plate 24 back and forth. In addition, the hydraulic circuit 26 includes at least a switching valve and an oil tank 34, and the switching valve is provided in an oil passage through which hydraulic oil flows to connect the discharge actuator 25 and the oil tank 34 when the discharge plate 24 moves toward the back wall of the garbage storage box 23, and is configured to switch between a connected state and a blocked state using pilot pressure, and the pilot pressure for switching the switching valve is the hydraulic pressure that is generated when the loading device 27 is operated.

[0091] With this configuration, the switching valve is switched to the communicating state by the pilot pressure, which is the pressure that is generated when the loading device 27 is driven, so that the discharge plate 24 can move in conjunction with the loading device 27. Therefore, it is possible to provide a garbage collection vehicle 1 in which the discharge plate 24 can be moved forward when loading garbage.

[0092] In addition, in the garbage collection vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the loading device 27 is driven by a press cylinder 32 and a push cylinder 31 (multiple loading hydraulic actuators), and the detection position of the pilot pressure is closer to the hydraulic pump (hydraulic source) 35 than the press cylinder 32 and the push cylinder 31 (multiple loading hydraulic actuators).

[0093] According to the above configuration, while the press cylinder 32 or the push cylinder 31 (either of the loading hydraulic actuators) in the loading device 27 is being driven, the switching valve can be switched to the communicating state.

[0094] Furthermore, in the sewage collection vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the hydraulic circuit 26 includes a relief valve 36A, and the changeover valve and the relief valve 36A are connected in parallel to the oil tank 34.

[0095] As described above, if the hydraulic circuit 26 receives an external impact while the garbage collection vehicle 1 is traveling, the hydraulic oil can be released through the relief valve 36A, thereby preventing buckling of the discharge actuator 25 and damage to the discharge plate 24, thereby increasing safety.

[0096] The container lifting device for a refuse collection vehicle and the refuse collection vehicle equipped therewith according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the configuration of one embodiment may be added to the configuration of another embodiment, or part of the configuration of one embodiment may be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Furthermore, part of the configuration of one embodiment may be deleted.

[0097] Although the garbage collection vehicle container lifting device 3 in the above embodiment includes two lifting mechanisms 5, 5, it may include any number of lifting mechanisms 5, such as one or three or more. In each lifting mechanism 5, the two lifting arms 51, 52 do not have to be parallel. Also, each lifting mechanism 5 may be configured with a single lifting arm. Also, multiple lifting mechanisms 5, 5 may be provided biased to one side in the left-right direction.

[0098] In the refuse collection vehicle container lifting device 3 of the above embodiment, the horizontal shaft is a cylindrical pipe 41, but it may also be a shaft member with a solid interior. The external shape of the horizontal shaft may be any shape other than circular, such as a polygonal shape such as a triangle or a rectangle, a semicircular shape, an elliptical shape, or the like.

[0099] Furthermore, in the container lifting device 3 for a garbage collection vehicle of the above embodiment, the abutment portion for the horizontal axis is a through hole (third through hole 531C), but a male-female fitting structure may also be used, for example, a convex portion may be formed on one side of the member and a concave portion that fits into the convex portion may be formed on the other side of the member.

[0100] Furthermore, in the refuse collection vehicle 1 of the above embodiment, the refuse collection vehicle container lifting device 3 is disposed at the rear of the vehicle body, but it may also be disposed at one of the left and right sides of the vehicle body or at the front of the vehicle body.

[0101] In addition, in the garbage collection vehicle 1 of the above embodiment, two pairs of left and right fixing members 9, 9 and a pair of left and right pivot members 53, 53 are provided to fix the base (pipe 41) to the vehicle body (garbage bin 2), but the two pairs of left and right fixing members 9, 9 may be omitted.

[0102] Furthermore, in the garbage collection vehicle container lifting device 3 of the above embodiment, the reversing link 82 is made up of the first links 82A, 82A and the second link 82B, but it may also be made up of a single plate member having a long hole formed therein that can absorb changes in the linear distance L. Also, in a form different from the above embodiment, for example, the reversing link 82 may be a link whose length changes.

[0103] Furthermore, in the garbage collection vehicle container lifting device 3 of the above embodiment, the first connecting plate 10 functions as a blocking member that blocks the reversing link 82 from moving in the extension direction, but the first connecting plate 10 may be omitted. In this case, the garbage collection vehicle container lifting device 3 is configured so that the container 6 rotates after the reversing link 82 has shifted to the maximum extension stage.

[0104] Furthermore, in the garbage collection vehicle container lifting device 3 of the above embodiment, the switching valve is a pilot check valve, but it may also be a direction switching valve that switches the flow direction of the hydraulic oil by pilot pressure.

[0105] Furthermore, in the container lifting device 3 for a garbage collection vehicle of the above embodiment, when a heavy object is lowered by the cylinder, counterbalance valves 36B, 36C are used to limit the speed at which the cylinder is lowered so that the cylinder does not descend under its own weight, but a general-purpose relief valve may also be used.

[0106] Furthermore, in the refuse collection vehicle 1 of the above embodiment, the loading device 27 includes the slider 28 and the push plate 29, but other loading devices (for example, a rotary plate type) may also be used.

[0107] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Refuse collection vehicle, 2... Refuse dump box, 2A... Side wall, 2K... Drop inlet, 3... Lifting device, 4... Base, 5... Lifting mechanism, 6... Container, 6A... Opening, 7... Container holding section, 7A... Claws, 8... Container inversion mechanism, 9... Fixing member, 9A... Upper end, 9B... Middle section, 9C... Lower end, 9D... Front plate section, 9E... Rear plate section, 9K... Through hole, 9a... Top, 9b... Front end surface, 10, 11... Connecting plate, 12... Horizontal frame, 12A... Horizontal plate section, 12B... Rear plate section, 12F... Diagonal plate section, 13... Support member , 15...guide member, 15A...upper end, 15B...lower end, 16...telescopic cylinder, 16A...cylinder tube, 16C...shaft, 17...fall-off prevention member, 17A...contact portion, 17B...bracket, 18...support member, 19...connecting member, 20...connecting portion, 21...driver's seat, 22...chassis, 23...garbage collection box, 23A...discharge outlet, 24...discharge plate, 25...discharge actuator (discharge cylinder), 26...hydraulic circuit, 27...loading device, 28...slider, 29...push plate, 30... Guide rail, 31... push cylinder, 32... press cylinder, 33... swing cylinder, 34... oil tank, 35... hydraulic pump, 36A... relief valve, 36B, 36C... counterbalance valve, 37... press cylinder switching valve, 38... push cylinder switching valve, 39... swing cylinder switching valve, 40... discharge cylinder switching valve, 41... pipe (horizontal axis), 42... tailgate lock switching valve, 43A, 43B... pilot check valve, 44... tailgate lock cylinder, 45... first oil passage, 46... second oil passage, 47... third oil passage, 48... pilot oil passage, 49... loading hydraulic pressure switching valve, 51, 52... lifting arm, 51a, 52a... shaft, 51A, 52A... arm, 53... pivot portion, 54... lifting frame, 61... container body, 62... flange portion, 63... hanging portion, 81... inversion frame, 82... inversion link, 82A... first link, 82B... second link, 531... pivot portion body, 531A, 531B, 531C,531D...through hole, 532...fixing portion, 532A...inclined plate portion, 532K...through hole, 541...vertical member, 541A...tongue, 542...first pipe, 543...second pipe, 544...third pipe, 545...connecting member, 811...inverted frame main body, 811A...closing member, 811a...vertical plate portion, 811b...horizontal plate portion, 812...vertical bracket, 812A...upper portion, 812B...lower portion, 813...connecting pipe, 814...cushion rubber, 815...mounting member, L...linear distance, P...pin, X1, X2, X3...left and right axis,

Claims

1. A garbage collection vehicle comprising: a base arranged around the garbage collection vehicle; a lifting mechanism attached to the base and configured so that its tip can rise and fall relative to the base end which is the end on the attached side; a lifting frame which is raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism; a container holding part which is raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism while holding a container for temporarily storing garbage collected by the garbage collection vehicle; and a container inversion mechanism which at least tilts the container held in the container holding part, wherein the base is fixed to the body of the garbage collection vehicle, the lifting mechanism has a drive source which generates a drive force for the lifting and lowering, the container inversion mechanism has an inversion frame and an inversion link, the inversion frame is rotatably attached to the lifting mechanism and rotates relative to the lifting mechanism upon receiving a drive force transmitted from the drive source of the lifting mechanism, and the inversion link has one end connected to the base and the other end connected to the inversion frame, A container lifting device for a garbage collection vehicle, which is configured so that the linear distance between the connection position with the base at one end and the connection position with the inversion frame at the other end can be changed, and which restricts or allows the rotation of the inversion frame depending on the change in linear distance.

2. A container lifting device for a garbage collection vehicle as described in claim 1, wherein the inverted link is configured to change between an extension stage in which the linear distance between the connection position with the base at one end and the connection position with the inverted frame at the other end changes, and a maximum extension stage in which the linear distance is at its maximum.

3. A container lifting device for a garbage collection vehicle as described in claim 2, wherein when the lifting frame rises from the lowest end of its range of movement to an intermediate position, the reversing link enters the extension stage, thereby lifting the container without rotating it, and when the lifting frame rises above the intermediate position, the reversing link transitions to the maximum extension stage, thereby rotating the container.

4. A container lifting device for a refuse collection vehicle, comprising: a base portion arranged around the refuse collection vehicle; a plurality of lifting mechanisms attached to the base portion and configured so that their tips move up and down relative to the base end which is the end portion on the attached side; and a container holding portion which is raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism while holding a container that temporarily stores refuse collected by the refuse collection vehicle, wherein the base portion is fixed to the body of the refuse collection vehicle, and the base end of each of the plurality of lifting mechanisms is attached to the base portion.

5. A container lifting device for a refuse collection vehicle as set forth in claim 4, further comprising a container inversion mechanism for at least tilting the container held in the container holding portion, said container inversion mechanism comprising an inversion frame and an inversion link, said inversion frame being rotatably attached to said lifting mechanism and rotating relative to said lifting mechanism in response to a driving force transmitted from said lifting mechanism, said inversion link having one end connected to said base and the other end connected to said inversion frame, and configured so that the linear distance between the connection position with said base at said one end and the connection position with said inversion frame at said other end changes, and said rotation of said inversion frame is restricted or permitted depending on the change in linear distance.

6. A container lifting device for a refuse collection vehicle as described in claim 4, wherein the base has a horizontal shaft extending along the vehicle body, the lifting mechanism has a plurality of sets of a lifting arm that rises and falls relative to the vehicle body and a pivot part that rotatably supports the lifting arm, and the pivot part is attached to the horizontal shaft.

7. A container lifting device for a garbage collection vehicle as described in claim 6, wherein the pivot portion has an abutment portion for contacting the horizontal shaft, and the abutment portion abuts against the horizontal shaft in a direction along a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the horizontal shaft.

8. A garbage collection vehicle equipped with a garbage collection vehicle container lifting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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