Refuse Vehicle Accessory Hydraulics Independent of the Prime Mover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refuse vehicles often require oversized prime movers for both transportation and body functions, leading to inefficiency as the prime mover is sized for torque to wheels but may be excessive for tasks like lifting and compacting waste, resulting in unnecessary energy consumption and mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
An independent accessory system with a smaller engine and hydraulic pump, configured to operate body functions like lift arms and compacting mechanisms independently of the prime mover, using stored fuel to pressurize hydraulic fluid and drive hydraulic cylinders, allowing for efficient operation of body functions without relying on the prime mover's energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If an oversized prime mover is used to provide sufficient torque for both transportation and body functions, then the vehicle can handle all operations, but energy consumption increases and mechanical stress is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is segmented into two independent parts: a prime mover for transportation and an accessory primary mover for body functions. This allows each component to be sized appropriately for its specific task, avoiding the energy waste of using an oversized prime mover for both purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory primary mover provides multi-functionality by handling various body functions (lifting, compacting, etc.) that were previously requiring the prime mover, thereby reducing the prime mover's workload and energy consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the prime mover is used for both transportation and body functions, then all operations can be performed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: prime mover for transportation, accessory primary mover for body functions, and independent hydraulic systems. This segmentation reduces overall complexity by allowing each subsystem to be optimized and maintained independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory system includes its own fuel storage tanks and hydraulic fluid reservoirs, making it self-sufficient and independent from the prime mover's systems. This self-service capability reduces the complexity of integrated systems while maintaining full operational versatility.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the prime mover is shut off for energy conservation, then energy consumption is reduced, but body functions cannot be operated
Solution Approach 1:
The independent accessory system with its own accessory primary mover and hydraulic reservoir allows body functions to operate independently of the prime mover's operational state, enabling energy conservation when transportation is not needed while maintaining body function availability.
4Use of energy by moving object
If a smaller accessory primary mover is used for body functions, then energy efficiency improves, but the system requires independent fuel storage and hydraulic systems
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory system is designed as a self-service unit with its own fuel storage tanks, hydraulic fluid reservoirs, and primary mover, eliminating dependence on the prime mover's systems and enabling independent operation with improved energy efficiency.
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 solution enables a more efficient and robust refuse vehicle by allowing the prime mover to focus on transportation while the independent accessory system handles body functions, reducing energy consumption and mechanical stress, and allowing operation of body functions even when the prime mover is shut off.
Implementation Method 1
The accessory primary mover is configured to fluidly couple with the one or more storage tanks to receive the fuel from the one or more storage tanks and operate to pressurize a hydraulic fluid
Implementation Method 2
operate to pressurize a hydraulic fluid to drive an accessory of the refuse vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A refuse vehicle includes multiple tractive elements, a prime mover, and an independent accessory system. The prime mover is configured to generate mechanical energy to drive one or more of the tractive elements. The independent accessory system includes one or more storage tanks configured to store a fuel, and an accessory primary mover. The accessory primary mover is configured to fluidly couple with the one or more storage tanks to receive the fuel from the one or more storage tanks and operate to pressurize a hydraulic fluid to drive an accessory of the refuse vehicle. The accessory primary mover is configured to pressurize the hydraulic fluid to drive the accessory of the refuse vehicle independently of operation of the prime mover.