Hydraulic Pallet Jack Box Actuation for Refuse Trucks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transporting components on refuse trucks is challenging due to the need for reliable and accessible systems for hauling and assembling equipment, such as pallet jacks, which are not efficiently addressed by conventional methods.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic pallet jack box actuation system that includes a pallet jack box actuation assembly with a linkage connection to the truck frame, a hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering, and a locking mechanism to secure the pallet jack box in a raised position, allowing for efficient and secure transport of pallet jacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual loading and unloading of pallet jacks is used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but labor intensity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the refuse truck's own hydraulic system to automatically raise and lower the pallet jack box, eliminating the need for external loading equipment or manual handling. The hydraulic cylinder integrates with the truck's existing hydraulic circuitry, allowing the truck to service itself during component transport operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The pallet jack box transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic adjustable position through the hydraulic actuation system. The box can be raised to transport position for secure hauling and lowered to ground position for easy access, providing dynamic adaptability to different operational states.
2Ease of operation
If the pallet jack box is kept close to the ground for easy access, then accessibility is improved, but ground clearance is reduced and transport safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the pallet jack box height between two distinct positions: a lowered position for easy ground access and a raised position for secure transport. The hydraulic actuation system enables smooth transitions between these states, allowing the operator to optimize for either accessibility or safety depending on the operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The pallet jack box undergoes periodic height changes during operation - lowered when loading/unloading is needed and raised during transport. This cyclic positioning ensures that the system alternates between maximizing accessibility and maximizing transport safety, with each state being optimized for its specific function.
3Productivity
If conventional transport methods are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but operational efficiency and safety are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic actuation system serves multiple functions: it raises and lowers the pallet jack box for positioning, secures the box in the raised transport position, and integrates with the truck's existing hydraulic system. By making the actuation system multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate systems for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the refuse truck's existing hydraulic power system to operate the pallet jack box actuation, rather than requiring an independent power source or manual operation. This self-service approach uses readily available resources on the truck to provide enhanced functionality without proportionally increasing system complexity.
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 system enables reliable and efficient transport of pallet jacks by allowing the pallet jack box to be raised and lowered securely, reducing the need for manual loading and maintaining ground clearance during transit, thus improving operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic cylinder disposed between and connecting the top portion and the bottom portion. The hydraulic cylinder may include a top cylinder portion and a bottom portion configured to extend between an extended position to place the pallet jack box actuation assembly in an extended configuration and a retracted position to place the pallet jack box actuation assembly in a retracted configuration
Implementation Method 2
The pallet jack box may include a locking mechanism configured to, in a locking mode, secure edges of the door and edges of the inner rear end facing wall, the outer rear end facing wall, and the connecting intermediate wall such that the pallet jack box is in a closed door position
Implementation Method 3
The hydraulic cylinder may include a mechanical latch and a hydraulic check valve such that the pallet jack box actuation assembly is configured to be secured to the truck frame and spaced from the ground in a raised position and prevented from transitioning to a lowered position when the mechanical latch and the hydraulic check valve are in a locked condition
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for assembling and using a hydraulic pallet jack box actuation system for a refuse truck are disclosed. The system includes an assembly that supports a pallet jack box sized and configured to contain at least a portion of a pallet jack. The assembly includes a top portion including a linkage connection portion that connects to a cross member of a truck frame, a bottom portion that includes a pallet box support member configured to be raised and lowered between the truck frame and a ground, and a hydraulic cylinder disposed between and connecting the top portion and the bottom portion. The hydraulic cylinder includes a top cylinder portion and a bottom portion configured to extend between an extended position to place the assembly in an extended configuration closer to the ground and a retracted position to place the assembly in a retracted configuration.