Refuse Vehicle Sensor Triggering for Missed Container Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refuse vehicles often fail to collect waste if containers are not positioned correctly, leading to inefficiencies and additional costs due to manual labor or repeat visits.
Innovation Solution
A refuse vehicle equipped with a sensor and imaging system that detects the presence or absence of waste containers, capturing images with a timestamp and location, and communicates with a central network for notification and evidence recording.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If refuse vehicles operate on scheduled waste removal days without automated detection, then operational simplicity is maintained, but productivity decreases due to manual labor and repeat visits
Solution Approach 1:
The refuse vehicle performs self-detection of waste container status using onboard sensors and imaging devices, eliminating the need for manual inspection by operators. The system automatically captures images and communicates container status, enabling the vehicle to service itself in terms of monitoring and reporting, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical inspection of waste containers is replaced with automated optical detection systems including sensors and imaging devices. The mechanical action of operators visually checking containers is substituted with electronic detection mechanisms that automatically identify container presence, status, and location, significantly boosting productivity
2Loss of time
If manual inspection of waste containers is used, then device complexity is minimized, but loss of time increases due to repeat visits and manual labor
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device captures images of waste containers in advance during the scheduled route, allowing the system to identify containers that are missing, improperly positioned, or full before the vehicle needs to return. This preliminary detection prevents repeat visits by alerting operators to issues before they require corrective action, thereby reducing time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback through automated communication of container status to the central network or operators. When containers are detected as missing or improperly positioned, the system communicates this information back, enabling rapid response and correction, thus minimizing the time loss associated with repeat visits and manual re-inspection
3Extent of automation
If automated sensor and imaging systems are deployed, then productivity improves through automated detection, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device serves multiple functions: detecting container presence, verifying proper positioning, capturing evidence for compliance, and providing data for routing decisions. By consolidating these detection and monitoring functions into a single multi-functional device, the system achieves high automation without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system and imaging device are integrated into a unified detection system that combines automated sensing with visual documentation. The processing unit merges data from multiple sources (sensor detections, image captures, GPS location, timestamps) into a single automated workflow, reducing the complexity that would arise from separate independent systems
4Productivity
If waste containers are not positioned in accessible locations, then customer convenience is maintained, but productivity decreases due to failed waste removal
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of container positioning compliance before the vehicle attempts waste collection. By using sensors and imaging devices to verify containers are in accessible locations in advance, the system identifies positioning issues before they cause collection failures, thereby maintaining high productivity while providing customers with clear guidance on proper placement
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to customers about container positioning compliance through automated communication. When containers are detected as improperly positioned, the system communicates this information to customers, enabling them to correct placement issues. This feedback loop maintains productivity by preventing collection failures while preserving customer convenience through informative rather than punitive measures
Data Source
AI summary
A refuse vehicle includes a chassis supporting a plurality of wheels and a vehicle body. The vehicle body defines a receptacle for storing refuse. A lifting system is movable between a first position and a second position offset from the first position. A processing unit is in communication with a first sensor having a first field of view and a second sensor having a second field of view. The processing unit activates the second sensor upon receiving an indication, from the first sensor, that an indicator is present within the first field of view. In some embodiments, the indicator is the presence of a positive object, like a waste container. In other embodiments, the indicator is the omission of an object (e.g., no container is detected) within the field of view.