Hydraulic Load Leveling for Front Loading Refuse Trucks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Front loading refuse trucks do not automatically maintain the upright orientation of lifted containers during collection, leading to premature commodity fall before reaching the load opening, requiring manual operator intervention and increasing the risk of spills.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic load leveling apparatus is introduced, featuring a slave cylinder mounted alongside the collection truck body, which controls the orientation of the lifted container using hydraulic fluid movement, eliminating the need for electronic controls and allowing automatic leveling without operator intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual control of hydraulic cylinders is used to level the container, then the container orientation can be adjusted, but operator intervention is required continuously during the lifting process
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is configured to automatically maintain container level during lifting through the interconnection of cylinders, eliminating the need for continuous operator intervention. The slave cylinder on the lift arm automatically adjusts the container orientation based on the lift arm position, making the system self-regulating.
2Extent of automation
If electronic leveling controls are installed, then automatic container leveling is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic sensing and control systems with a purely mechanical-hydraulic solution. The slave cylinder mechanically linked to the lift arm automatically translates lift arm position into container orientation adjustments, eliminating the need for electronic sensors, controllers, and associated complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hydraulic fluid pressure transmitted through interconnected cylinders to automatically control container orientation. The slave cylinder on the lift arm and the load-leveling cylinders work together through hydraulic fluid to maintain container level without electronic controls.
3Device complexity
If the container is allowed to rotate freely during lifting, then the lifting mechanism operates simply, but commodity falls prematurely from the container
Solution Approach 1:
The slave cylinder is positioned and configured to proactively maintain container level throughout the lifting process. By establishing the correct container orientation in advance and maintaining it automatically, the system prevents premature commodity fall before the container reaches the dumping position.
4Reliability
If load-leveling cylinders are added to existing trucks, then container leveling is improved, but the number of hydraulic components and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slave cylinder is integrated with the existing hydraulic system by connecting it to the same hydraulic lines that operate the main lift cylinders. This merging approach allows the load-leveling function to be added without creating a separate hydraulic system, reducing overall complexity while maintaining effective container orientation control.
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 apparatus ensures the container remains level until near the load opening, reducing premature spills and operational costs associated with electronic systems, while being easily retrofittable to existing trucks with minimal modifications.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus operates by hydraulic fluid movement and requires no electronic controls or operator intervention to carry out proper container leveling
Implementation Method 2
A hydraulic load leveling apparatus is introduced, featuring a slave cylinder mounted along the truck body that controls the orientation of the lifted container using hydraulic fluid movement
Data Source
AI summary
A modification apparatus to convert an existing front loading refuse collection truck so that the lifted container remains level until the container is near the load opening of the refuse collection body of the truck. A mounting plate is bolted to brackets added to an existing refuse collection body and provides multiple connection points for attachment of one end of a slave cylinder that is hinged at its other end to one of the main lift arms of the collection body. As the rod of the slave cylinder extends or retracts with the movement of the lift arm, hydraulic fluid from the slave cylinder passes to fork cylinders which retract or extend to control the orientation of the lifted container relative to the lift arms. The apparatus can be easily added to a variety of existing front loading collection bodies.