Refuse Grabber System Gear Drive Mechanism

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanical arms used for automated garbage collection are heavy, noisy, and cause vibration and impact loads, leading to efficiency and durability issues, as well as physical burdens on refuse collection vehicle operators.

Innovation Solution

A grabber system comprising a frame, first and second arm assemblies, and a grabber drive mechanism, which includes a driving gear, driven gears, and an idler gear, operated by a drive unit with electric motors and a gearbox, to efficiently load refuse into a refuse collection vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If traditional mechanical arms are used for automated garbage collection, then automated collection capability is achieved, but the system becomes heavy, noisy, and generates significant vibration and impact loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated collection capabilityVSAvoidmechanical arm weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional heavy mechanical arms with a robotic system comprising electric motors, gear mechanisms, and a control unit. The first and second robotic arms are driven by electric motors through gear assemblies, substituting conventional hydraulic or heavy mechanical actuation systems. This reduces weight while maintaining automated collection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes a hydraulic lift mechanism to raise and lower the robotic arms and container. The hydraulic system provides efficient force multiplication with minimal weight compared to purely mechanical systems, reducing the overall weight of moving components while maintaining the ability to handle heavy refuse containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Extent of automation

If traditional mechanical arms are used for automated garbage collection, then automated collection capability is achieved, but noise and vibration increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated collection capabilityVSAvoidnoise and vibration

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional heavy mechanical arms with a robotic system comprising electric motors, gear mechanisms, and a control unit. The first and second robotic arms are driven by electric motors through gear assemblies, substituting conventional hydraulic or heavy mechanical actuation systems. This reduces weight while maintaining automated collection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a control unit that coordinates the operation of multiple electric motors and gear mechanisms to dynamically control the movement of robotic arms and container. This dynamic control optimizes motion profiles to minimize impact loads, vibration, and noise during picking, lifting, and emptying operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Extent of automation

If traditional mechanical arms are used for automated garbage collection, then automated collection capability is achieved, but efficiency and durability issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated collection capabilityVSAvoidsystem durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional heavy mechanical arms with a robotic system comprising electric motors, gear mechanisms, and a control unit. The first and second robotic arms are driven by electric motors through gear assemblies, substituting conventional hydraulic or heavy mechanical actuation systems. This reduces weight while maintaining automated collection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a control unit that coordinates the operation of multiple electric motors and gear mechanisms to dynamically control the movement of robotic arms and container. This dynamic control optimizes motion profiles to minimize impact loads, vibration, and noise during picking, lifting, and emptying operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Extent of automation

If traditional mechanical arms are used for automated garbage collection, then automated collection capability is achieved, but physical burdens on operators increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated collection capabilityVSAvoidoperator physical burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional heavy mechanical arms with a robotic system comprising electric motors, gear mechanisms, and a control unit. The first and second robotic arms are driven by electric motors through gear assemblies, substituting conventional hydraulic or heavy mechanical actuation systems. This reduces weight while maintaining automated collection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic system with coordinated electric motors, gear mechanisms, and control unit performs automated picking, lifting, and emptying operations without requiring manual physical intervention from operators, allowing the system to serve itself in performing labor-intensive tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 reduces operator fatigue, noise, vibration, and maintenance costs, while improving the energy efficiency and effectiveness of refuse loading, and maintaining a lower profile mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

The grabber drive mechanism includes a driving gear, a first driven gear coupled to the first arm assembly and engaged with the driving gear, a second driven gear coupled to the second arm assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGear: Gear

Implementation Method 2

The drive unit includes one or more electric motors, and a gearbox coupled between at least one of the one or more electric motors and the driving gear

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

a gearbox coupled between at least one of the one or more electric motors and the driving gear

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS20250153931A1Refuse loading system with grabber device

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 HEIL CO

AI summary

A grabber system for loading refuse includes a frame, a first arm assembly, and second arm assembly, and a grabber drive mechanism. The first arm assembly and the second arm assembly are pivotally coupled to the frame. The grabber drive mechanism is coupled to the frame and operable to move the first arm assembly and the second arm assembly between an open position and a closed position to grab a refuse container. The grabber drive mechanism includes a driving gear, a first driven gear coupled to the first arm assembly and engaged with the driving gear, a second driven gear coupled to the second arm assembly, an idler gear engaged between the second driven gear and the driving gear, and a drive unit configured to rotate the driving gear.