Refuse Vehicle Collection Arm Control for Precise Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refuse vehicles face challenges in efficiently and accurately aligning collection arms with waste containers, leading to increased collection time and potential collisions with obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A refuse vehicle control system that includes a controller, object detection system, and position sensors to determine the location and orientation of lift and collection arm assemblies, providing real-time alignment guidance to operators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual alignment methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment precision and collection efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously receives position data from sensors monitoring the lift assembly and collection arm assembly, compares actual positions with target positions, and automatically adjusts actuator commands to achieve precise alignment. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables high measurement precision while managing system complexity through automated control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment operations with an automated control system that uses sensors, processors, and actuators. The controller automatically calculates alignment parameters and actuates the lift assembly and collection arm assembly based on detected object positions, substituting human-operated mechanical systems with automated electromechanical systems to achieve superior alignment precision.
2Productivity
If alignment guidance is provided, then collection time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary alignment calculations and prepares actuator commands before the collection operation begins. By pre-calculating the required lift assembly position and collection arm configuration based on detected object locations, the system enables faster collection operations without requiring complex real-time adjustments during the actual collection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system autonomously determines alignment parameters and executes collection operations without requiring continuous operator intervention. The system self-adjusts the lift assembly and collection arm assembly based on sensor feedback, enabling high collection efficiency while managing complexity through automated decision-making algorithms.
3Reliability
If real-time detection is implemented, then collision avoidance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The object detection system continuously provides real-time position data to the controller, which monitors for potential collision conditions and automatically adjusts the collection arm assembly trajectory. This continuous feedback loop enables reliable collision avoidance by detecting obstacles and recalculating safe paths in real-time, managing detection system complexity through integrated control algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a body, a refuse collection arm, a position sensor configured to detect a position of the refuse collection arm relative to the body, an object detection system configured to provide object detection data within a range of locations relative to the body, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive an indication, based on the object detection data, that an object is within the range of locations, in response to the indication that the object is within the range of locations, determine an initial location of the object relative to the body and determine if the object is an obstacle or a refuse container, and control operation of the refuse collection arm by limiting movement of the refuse collection arm to a grabbing position.