Electric Lift Assembly for Refuse Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refuse vehicles lack efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for lifting and handling refuse containers, particularly in terms of weight sensing and object impact detection, which can lead to operational inefficiencies and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electrified refuse vehicle equipped with a lift assembly featuring electric lift actuators powered by an on-vehicle electrical power source, including a controller that performs load sensing and object impact detection functions to manage the lifting of refuse containers and prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic actuators are used in the lift assembly, then lifting power and force are sufficient, but environmental friendliness is reduced and operational efficiency is lowered due to fluid leakage risks and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hydraulic actuators with electric actuators in the lift assembly. This substitution eliminates hydraulic fluid systems, preventing fluid leakage and associated environmental harm while improving operational efficiency through more reliable electric motor operation and reduced maintenance requirements.
2Productivity
If weight sensing capabilities are added to the lift assembly, then operational efficiency is improved through accurate load management, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates weight sensing capabilities that provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables the controller to monitor container weights in real-time, optimize lifting operations, and improve productivity through accurate load management while the integrated design minimizes the complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric actuators serve multiple functions: they provide lifting force and simultaneously function as weight sensors through their motor current and torque characteristics. This multi-functionality approach adds weight sensing capabilities without requiring separate dedicated sensor systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Reliability
If object impact detection function is implemented, then reliability is improved by preventing damage, but device complexity increases due to additional detection mechanisms and control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The controller monitors signals from the electric actuators to detect abnormal conditions indicating object impacts. This feedback-based detection system prevents damage by enabling the controller to stop or reverse actuator operations when impacts are detected, improving reliability while using existing sensor infrastructure to minimize complexity increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric actuators and controller perform self-diagnosis and self-protection functions. The controller automatically detects impacts through monitoring actuator signals and takes corrective actions without requiring separate detection devices, thereby improving reliability through damage prevention while keeping the system relatively simple.
4Reliability
If electric actuators are used instead of hydraulic actuators, then environmental friendliness and operational efficiency are improved, but lifting power and force may be insufficient for heavy refuse containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects electric actuators with appropriate parameters (motor power, torque, gear ratios) to ensure sufficient lifting force for heavy refuse containers. By carefully matching actuator parameters to the specific lifting requirements, the system achieves both environmental benefits and adequate lifting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lift assembly uses multiple electric actuators working in parallel to distribute the lifting load. This segmentation approach allows each actuator to handle a portion of the total weight, enabling the system to generate sufficient total lifting force while maintaining the advantages of electric actuation.
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
Enhances operational efficiency by accurately determining container weights and detecting potential collisions, ensuring safe and efficient refuse handling while reducing the risk of damage to the vehicle and its components.
Implementation Method 1
one or more electric lift actuators powered by the on-vehicle electrical power source. The one or more electric lift actuators positioned to pivot the first lift arm and the second lift arm
Data Source
AI summary
An electrified refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a cab coupled to the chassis, a body coupled to the chassis, an on-vehicle electrical power source, and a lift assembly coupled to the body and extending in front of the cab. The lift assembly includes a first lift arm, a second lift arm, and one or more electric lift actuators powered by the on-vehicle electrical power source. The one or more electric lift actuators positioned to pivot the first lift arm and the second lift arm.