Refuse Vehicle Packer Hydraulics With Load-Based Regeneration Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refuse vehicles with hydraulic systems face inefficiencies due to complex hydraulic hose layouts, excessive fittings, and compensator valves, leading to increased frictional losses and reduced overall efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A refuse vehicle with a hydraulic system featuring dedicated pumps for specific functions, such as a packer assembly, and a controller that adjusts motor speed to maintain target cycle times and operate in regeneration modes based on load and route information, minimizing hydraulic hose length and compensator valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional hydraulic systems use complex hose layouts with excessive fittings and compensator valves, then the system can accommodate various functions, but frictional losses increase and overall efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is divided into multiple independent pump modules, each dedicated to specific functions. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex hose layouts and fittings between different functions, reducing frictional losses while maintaining system versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
Compensator valves and excessive fittings are removed from the hydraulic system. The patent achieves this by using dedicated pumps for each function and implementing electronic control to replace mechanical compensation mechanisms, thereby reducing energy losses.
2Use of energy by moving object
If dedicated pumps are used for specific functions instead of a single hydraulic system, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each dedicated pump module is designed to perform multiple functions within its specific domain. The electronic control system provides universal management across all pumps, allowing the system to maintain complexity while achieving energy efficiency through specialized functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Mechanical hydraulic systems with complex valve arrangements are replaced with electronically controlled pump modules. This substitution reduces the need for mechanical fittings and compensator valves, improving energy efficiency while managing complexity through electronic rather than mechanical means.
3Loss of energy
If hydraulic hose length is minimized and compensator valves are reduced, then frictional losses decrease, but system adaptability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system uses electronically controlled variable displacement pumps that can dynamically adjust their output based on real-time demands. This dynamic control provides system adaptability without requiring long hoses or multiple compensator valves, maintaining versatility while minimizing frictional losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters through electronic control of pump displacement and motor speed rather than through physical hose length or valve configurations. This allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements while maintaining short hose lengths and minimal fittings.
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
This configuration reduces frictional losses, enhances energy efficiency, and optimizes hydraulic actuator performance by minimizing hydraulic hose length and compensator valves, improving the vehicle's operational efficiency and battery life.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor powered by a battery, a hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor, a hydraulic actuator powered by the hydraulic pump
Data Source
AI summary
A refuse vehicle including an electric motor powered by a battery, a hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor, a manifold including a plurality of electrically actuated solenoid valves receiving hydraulic power from the hydraulic pump, a hydraulic actuator powered by the hydraulic pump via the manifold, and one or more processing circuits comprising one or more memory devices coupled to one or more processors, the one or more memory devices configured to store instructions thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: determine a load applied to the hydraulic actuator, operate the manifold to provide regenerative flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator when the load is less than a threshold load, and operate the manifold to provide non-regenerative flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator when the load is greater than or equal to the threshold load.