Refuse Vehicle Thermal Monitoring With Air Sampling Fire Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Refuse vehicles lack effective monitoring systems to detect thermal events such as fires or overheating components, which can lead to safety hazards and equipment damage, and existing solutions do not provide timely alerts or adequate responses.

Innovation Solution

A thermal event monitoring system for refuse vehicles that includes sampling elements like air sampling lines, aspirating smoke detectors, and temperature sensors, coupled with a processing circuit to detect thermal events and alert operators or emergency services, and can transmit notifications to fleet management systems or fire suppression systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If no thermal monitoring system is installed, then the vehicle structure remains simple and cost-effective, but safety hazards from fires and overheating cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is divided into multiple independent sampling elements (smoke detectors, temperature sensors, air sampling lines) distributed throughout the vehicle. Each element independently monitors specific zones, allowing the system to achieve comprehensive coverage while maintaining modular simplicity for installation and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Air sampling lines act as intermediaries that transport air from hard-to-reach compartments (refuse compartments, engine compartments) to detection points in accessible areas. This allows monitoring of critical zones without placing sensitive detectors directly in harsh environments, simplifying system installation while improving safety coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple sampling elements are installed throughout the vehicle, then thermal event detection coverage is improved, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal event detection accuracyVSAvoidnumber of sampling elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processing circuit is designed to receive and process signals from multiple different types of sampling elements (smoke detectors, temperature sensors, air sampling lines) through a unified interface. This multi-functional approach allows comprehensive thermal monitoring while maintaining a simple, centralized processing system that reduces overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple sampling functions (smoke detection, temperature measurement, air sampling) are merged into a single integrated processing circuit that handles all inputs and generates unified alerts. This consolidation reduces the number of separate control systems needed, simplifying installation and reducing device complexity while maintaining high detection precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of time

If rapid thermal event detection is implemented, then safety response time is improved, but the system cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors thermal conditions and maintains readiness to detect events at any time. By keeping the monitoring system actively engaged and pre-configured with alert protocols, the system achieves rapid response times without requiring complex real-time processing or advanced warning mechanisms, as detection and alerting are always prepared in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively detects thermal events, alerts operators and emergency services, and can initiate fire suppression actions, thereby enhancing safety and reducing damage to vehicles and equipment.

Implementation Method 1

an air sampling line configured to capture air from the portion of the refuse vehicle and transport the air to a different portion of the refuse vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir sampling:

Implementation Method 2

an aspirating smoke detector positioned at the different portion of the refuse vehicle and configured to analyze the air to detect the thermal event

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSmoke detection:

Implementation Method 3

a temperature sensor configured to measure at least one of an air temperature or a temperature of a surface the temperature sensor is coupled to

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature measurement:

Implementation Method 4

an air purge system configured to provide compressed air to the air sampling line to clear debris from at least one of an inside of the air sampling line or a sampling opening of the air sampling line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressed air purging:

Data Source

PatentUS11551534B2Thermal management controls

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 OSHKOSH CORPORATION

AI summary

A refuse vehicle comprising a chassis, a body assembly coupled to the chassis, the body assembly defining a refuse compartment, and a thermal event monitoring system comprising a sampling element configured to detect a thermal event associated with the refuse vehicle indicating at least one of a fire or an overheating component and transmit a notification in response to detecting the thermal event.