Refuse Vehicle Hydraulic Pump Control Using Packer Pressure Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refuse vehicles face inefficiencies in compacting waste due to high engine load during packing cycles, which can affect performance and fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
A refuse vehicle system with a hydraulic system, pressure sensor, and controller that adjusts fluid power to packer actuators based on measured pressure and active vehicle functions, reducing power supply when threshold pressures are reached or other functions are active.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high fluid power is supplied to packer actuators to maintain compaction force, then compaction effectiveness is improved, but engine load increases and fuel consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts fluid power supply to packer actuators based on real-time pressure feedback from sensors. The controller modulates hydraulic pump output to maintain adequate compaction force only when needed, reducing engine load and fuel consumption during phases when full power is not required for compaction effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
Pressure sensors provide real-time feedback on compaction pressure to the controller, which adjusts fluid power supply accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures compaction effectiveness is maintained at appropriate levels while avoiding excessive engine load and fuel consumption by reducing power when threshold pressures are achieved
2Use of energy by moving object
If fluid power is reduced to lower engine load, then fuel consumption decreases, but compaction force may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure sensors continuously monitor compaction pressure and provide feedback to the controller. When pressure drops below threshold levels, the controller increases fluid power supply to maintain adequate compaction force, ensuring the hydraulic system responds dynamically to actual compaction needs rather than operating at fixed power levels
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (fluid power levels) based on monitored conditions. The controller adjusts hydraulic pressure and flow rates dynamically, changing from high power modes during initial compaction to reduced power modes when threshold pressures are maintained, optimizing the balance between compaction force and fuel consumption
3Productivity
If full fluid power is supplied to packer actuators, then packing speed is improved, but other hydraulic functions may be starved of power
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system operates in dynamic power distribution modes rather than fixed full-power mode. The controller dynamically allocates hydraulic power between packer actuators and other vehicle functions based on operational priorities and system demands, allowing packing speed to be maintained when needed while preventing power starvation of other functions during multi-task operations
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic system is designed to serve multiple functions (packer actuators, steering, braking, other vehicle operations) through a shared power source. The controller manages this multi-functional system by intelligently distributing available hydraulic power, ensuring that packing operations receive adequate power when prioritized while other functions receive sufficient power to operate safely and effectively
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
Improves engine performance and reduces fuel consumption by optimizing fluid power distribution, enhancing the overall efficiency of waste compaction operations.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure sensor is fluidly coupled to the packer actuator and is configured to indicate a measured pressure of at least one of a first fluid associated with the first pump or a second fluid associated with the second pump
Implementation Method 2
The hydraulic system includes a first pump, a second pump, and a packer actuator. The first pump and the second pump are configured to supply fluid power to the packer actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A refuse vehicle can include a controller in communication with a hydraulic system of the refuse vehicle. The controller can control the hydraulic system to supply fluid power to a packer actuator of the refuse vehicle such that the packer actuator moves a packer of the refuse vehicle, determine that one or more other vehicle functions are active, and reduce the fluid power supplied to the packer actuator, while maintaining an amount of fluid power supplied to one or more components of the refuse vehicle, to adjust a load applied to the hydraulic system. The fluid power supplied to the packer actuator can be reduced by an amount without impacting a performance of the one or more components.