Refuse Vehicle Folding Door Linkage for Obstacle Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door systems in refuse vehicles lack efficient mechanisms for transitioning between closed, intermediate, and open positions without compromising space or colliding with other vehicle components, such as lift arms and tires.
Innovation Solution
A door assembly with a linkage system that includes a first and second linkage, where the second linkage is shorter than the first, allowing the door panels to pivot and fold in a manner that avoids collisions and optimizes space usage by rotating about specific axes, enabling smooth transitions between positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional door system is used in a refuse vehicle, then the door can provide basic access functionality, but it collides with lift arms and tires during operation and compromises space efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is divided into multiple panels (first door panel and second door panel) that can move independently. The second door panel can be folded relative to the first door panel, allowing the door to navigate around obstacles like lift arms and tires without collision.
Solution Approach 2:
The door assembly introduces a folding dimension by rotating the second door panel about a first axis relative to the first door panel. This adds a degree of freedom that allows the door to clear obstacles in the third dimension rather than just moving in a single plane.
2Volume of moving object
If a traditional door system is used in a refuse vehicle, then the door structure is simple, but it compromises space usage and requires excessive clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The second door panel can be folded into a nested position relative to the first door panel, allowing the door assembly to occupy less space when open. This nesting capability improves space utilization in the refuse vehicle without requiring excessive clearance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the door assembly uses equal length linkages, then the structure is symmetric and simple, but it cannot achieve proper folding motion to avoid obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage assembly uses asymmetric linkages where the first linkage has a first length and the second linkage has a second length, with the first length being greater than the second length. This asymmetry enables the door assembly to achieve the proper folding motion trajectory to avoid obstacles like lift arms and tires.
Data Source
AI summary
A refuse vehicle includes a body including a cab, a door assembly, and a linkage assembly. The door assembly is coupled to the cab and includes a first door panel and a second door panel. The first door panel is rotatably coupled to the second door panel and has an unfolded position and a folded position. The linkage assembly is configured to reposition the door assembly between a closed position and an open position relative to the cab. In a first state the door assembly is in the closed position the second door panel is in the unfolded position, and in a second state the door assembly is in the open position and the second door panel is in the folded position. The linkage assembly may include a first linkage coupled between the cab and the door assembly and a second linkage coupled between the cab and the door assembly.