Recyclable Refuse Vehicle Discharge Assembly Chute Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recyclable refuse collection vehicles face issues such as high noise levels, glass breakage, and operational inefficiencies during the collection and unloading of recyclable refuse, particularly glass, which poses safety risks and damage to machinery and vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A recyclable refuse collection vehicle equipped with a discharge assembly featuring a rotatable plate hinged along its lower edge, forming a chute with arc-shaped side wings to direct refuse away from the vehicle, and a sloped floor to facilitate gravity-driven discharge, ensuring safe and efficient unloading without damaging the vehicle's tires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If glass refuse stillages are mounted onto the side of the kerbside recyclable refuse collection vehicles for unloading, then the glass refuse can be discharged away from the vehicle, but the operator must wheel the stillage away and back, which is time-consuming and forces the operator to work in close proximity to the glass refuse increasing injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge assembly is designed to automatically discharge glass refuse without requiring manual handling by the operator. The rotatable plate with arc-shaped side wings forms a chute that directs refuse away from the vehicle automatically when activated, eliminating the need for the operator to wheel stillages manually and reducing exposure time to hazardous glass refuse
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge assembly extracts the dangerous function of handling glass refuse from the operator and transfers it to the mechanical system. The rotatable plate and arc-shaped side wings create a controlled discharge path that separates the operator from the hazardous material during unloading operations
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the rotatable plate opens outwardly to form a refuse discharge chute, then recyclable refuse is directed away from the vehicle preventing tire damage, but the discharge assembly adds structural complexity to the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the rotatable plate that forms the discharge opening, and the arc-shaped side wings that direct the refuse. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The arc-shaped side wings use a curved geometry to effectively direct refuse away from the vehicle tires. The curved shape naturally guides the flow of refuse along an arcuate path, preventing contact with the tires while maintaining a compact and simple structural form
3Productivity
If the floor is sloped upwardly away from the discharge assembly to urge refuse towards discharge, then gravity-driven discharge is facilitated, but the sloped floor increases the center of gravity and potential vehicle instability
Solution Approach 1:
The floor is sloped only in the local region adjacent to the discharge assembly, rather than the entire vehicle floor. This localized sloping creates sufficient gravitational force to urge refuse toward the discharge opening without significantly affecting the overall center of gravity or stability of the vehicle
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces noise levels, minimizes the risk of glass breakage and tire damage, and enhances operational efficiency by allowing for safe and convenient unloading of recyclable refuse, including glass, without the need for manual handling or tilting the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
the floor sloped upwardly away from the recyclable refuse discharge assembly so as to urge recyclable refuse stored in the recyclable refuse storage compartment towards the recyclable refuse discharge assembly
Implementation Method 2
the recyclable refuse discharge assembly comprising a refuse discharge opening and a rotatable plate which is hinged along a lower edge of the refuse discharge opening, with the rotatable plate opening outwardly to form a refuse discharge chute leading from the refuse discharge opening and directing recyclable refuse to be discharged from the recyclable refuse storage compartment along the chute and away from the recyclable refuse collection vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is directed to a recyclable refuse collection vehicle (100) comprising at least one recyclable refuse storage compartment (114). The recyclable refuse storage compartment (114) comprises a recyclable refuse discharge assembly (122), which in turn comprises a refuse discharge ope (206) and a rotatable plate (208). The rotatable plate (208) opens so as to direct recyclable refuse away from the recyclable refuse collection vehicle (100).