Electric Refuse Lift Torque Control for Variable Container Weights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refuse vehicles with electric lift systems face challenges in accurately determining the weight of refuse containers and adjusting torque application to maintain efficient and safe operation, particularly when handling varying loads.
Innovation Solution
The refuse vehicle incorporates sensors and processing circuits to determine the weight of refuse containers based on torque and sensor data, adjusting the torque applied by electric motors or actuators to match the desired operating speed and meet load requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the electric motor applies a fixed torque to the lift apparatus, then the system structure is simple, but the lift apparatus cannot adapt to varying weights of refuse containers, resulting in inefficient operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs sensors to detect the actual weight of the refuse container and feeds this information back to the processing circuit. The processing circuit then adjusts the torque applied by the electric motor based on this feedback, enabling the lift apparatus to adapt to varying loads while maintaining efficient operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque applied by the electric motor is made dynamic rather than fixed. The processing circuit continuously adjusts the torque level based on the detected weight of the refuse container, allowing the system to optimize performance for different load conditions.
2Strength
If the electric motor applies high torque to handle heavy containers, then the load capacity is increased, but the operating speed of the lift apparatus decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the torque applied by the electric motor based on the actual weight of the refuse container. When a heavy container is detected, the motor applies higher torque to maintain load capacity. When a lighter container is detected, the motor reduces torque to maintain faster operating speed, thus optimizing both strength and speed according to actual conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque parameter applied by the electric motor is changed based on the detected weight of the refuse container. The processing circuit selects appropriate torque levels from a range of possible values, adjusting this parameter in real-time to balance load capacity requirements with operating speed requirements.
3Speed
If the electric motor applies low torque to maintain high operating speed, then the speed is improved, but the system cannot handle heavy refuse containers
Solution Approach 1:
The sensors provide feedback on the actual weight of the refuse container to the processing circuit. Based on this feedback, the system determines the appropriate torque level required to handle the container. This ensures that the motor applies sufficient torque for heavy containers while maintaining high operating speed for lighter containers.
4Adaptability or versatility
If sensors and processing circuits are added to determine container weight, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing electric motor and lift apparatus components to determine container weight by monitoring the torque required to operate the lift. This self-service approach allows the system to gain weight determination capability without adding separate complex measurement systems, thus improving adaptability while minimizing increases in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a lift apparatus of a refuse vehicle includes receiving a user input from an operator of the refuse vehicle indicating a desired operating speed of the lift apparatus, operating at least one of an electric motor or an electric actuator to apply a first torque on the lift apparatus, acquiring, from one or more sensors, sensor data corresponding to movement of the lift apparatus, determining, based on the first torque and the sensor data, a weight of a refuse container engaged by the lift apparatus, determining, based on the weight of the refuse container and the desired operating speed, a second torque for the at least one of the electric motor of the electric actuator, the second torque higher than the first torque, and operating the at least one of the electric motor or the electric actuator to apply the second torque on the lift apparatus.