Lifting System Lower Support Dynamics for Refuse Vehicle Obstacle Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refuse collection vehicles often suffer damage to their lifting systems due to obstacles on the road, particularly when the lifting system is not raised to a high position during travel, leading to operational downtime for repairs.
Innovation Solution
A lifting system for refuse collection vehicles that includes a lifting chair with a gripper and a lower support capable of rotating around a horizontal swing axis from a vertical to a horizontal position when an obstacle is encountered, preventing damage by increasing ground clearance and allowing the lower support to swing aside when hitting road bumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the lifting system is kept in a low position during travel to improve operational efficiency, then refuse collection becomes more efficient without wasting time, but the pushing support may collide with road obstacles causing damage to the lifting system
Solution Approach 1:
The lower support is made dynamically adjustable through a hinge mechanism that allows it to rotate between a vertical working position and a horizontal retracted position. This dynamic capability enables the support to adapt to different road conditions, swinging upward when encountering obstacles to prevent damage while maintaining operational efficiency during normal collection operations
2Reliability
If the lifting system is raised to a high position to increase ground clearance and avoid obstacles, then damage from road obstacles is prevented, but time is lost for lowering and raising the lifting system
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting system is segmented into a fixed upper lifting chair and a movable lower support. This segmentation allows the lower support to be independently positioned - remaining in a vertical working position during normal operations while capable of independently swinging upward to avoid obstacles, eliminating the need to raise the entire lifting system
3Strength
If the pushing support is made rigid to maintain structural strength, then support function is maintained, but impact from obstacles causes damage and requires repair
Solution Approach 1:
The lower support transitions from a rigid fixed structure to a dynamic hinged structure that can rotate about a horizontal swing axis. This dynamic design maintains structural strength when needed while allowing the support to swing upward upon obstacle contact, preventing damage and eliminating repair requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism provides a pre-prepared protective mechanism that allows the lower support to automatically swing upward when encountering obstacles. This beforehand prepared mobility cushions the impact that would otherwise damage a rigid support, preventing damage before it occurs
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a lifting system (101) for a refuse collection vehicle (100). The lifting system comprises a lifting chair (106) with a gripper for the refuse bin. The lifting chair is moveable between a vertical receiving condition, in which the upper side of the bin is arranged higher than the lower side of the bin, and a tilted emptying condition, in which the upper side of the bin is arranged lower than the lower side of the bin. The lifting system further comprises a lower support (111) at the bottom of the lifting chair for pushing and/or supporting the refuse bin when it is moved to its emptying condition. In the receiving condition, the lower support is allowed to move around a horizontal swing axis from a vertical position, in a backward direction opposite to a forward driving direction of the vehicle.