Refuse Vehicle Grabber Assembly Mass Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refuse vehicle loading apparatuses face inefficiencies in grasping, lifting, and dumping refuse containers due to heavy motor placement on the grabber assembly, which increases the mass and reduces operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a lift assembly with a drive motor positioned on the main member rather than the grabber assembly, and an extension assembly with a single drive motor using a rack and chain system to reduce the mass of the grabber assembly and enhance its reach and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If motors are placed on the grabber assembly to drive lifting and extension, then the grabber assembly can perform its functions, but the mass of the grabber assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the drive motors from the grabber assembly and relocates them to the refuse vehicle body. Specifically, a first drive motor is mounted on the vehicle body to drive the extension assembly, and a second drive motor is mounted on the vehicle body to drive the lift assembly. This extraction removes the heavy motor components from the moving grabber assembly, significantly reducing its mass while maintaining full operational capability through remote power transmission via the extension and lift mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If motors are placed on the grabber assembly, then the assembly can be controlled, but the reach and operation effectiveness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the refuse collection system into distinct functional modules: the grabber assembly for grasping, the extension assembly for reaching, and the lift assembly for elevating. Each module is driven by separate motors mounted on the vehicle body. This segmentation allows the grabber assembly to remain lightweight while the stationary motors on the vehicle body provide sufficient power through the mechanical transmission systems, thereby enhancing overall reach and operational versatility without adding mass to the moving components.
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 the weight of the grabber assembly, improves its operational efficiency, and allows for more effective grasping, lifting, and dumping of refuse containers by distributing the motor's weight more efficiently, enhancing overall refuse collection processes.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor coupled to the pinion, a rack coupled to the second member and engaging the pinion
Implementation Method 2
a tensile member extending between and engaging the first guide and the second guide. The first member is fixedly coupled with the tensile member at a first point and the third member is fixedly coupled with the tensile member at a second point
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment relates to a refuse vehicle. The refuse vehicle includes a frame, a grabber assembly configured to selectively engage a refuse container, a lift assembly coupled to the grabber assembly, and an extension assembly coupled to the frame and the lift assembly. The lift assembly includes a first electric motor configured to drive the lift assembly to raise the grabber assembly. The extension assembly includes a second electric motor configured to drive the extension assembly to move the lift assembly relative to the frame.