Automated Refuse Vehicle System Check via Sensor Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refuse vehicles lack an efficient automated system for determining which systems require manual inspection, leading to potential operational delays and safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A refuse vehicle equipped with multiple sensors and an automated check system that processes sensor data to identify which systems require manual inspection, prompting technicians via a display screen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual inspection of all systems is performed, then safety and reliability are improved, but time consumption and operational efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection process is segmented into two distinct phases: automated preliminary inspection using sensors and processing circuitry to identify problematic systems, followed by targeted manual inspection only of those specific systems. This segmentation eliminates the need for manual inspection of all systems while maintaining safety, as the automated system efficiently filters and prioritizes which systems require human attention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If automated inspection of all systems is performed, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision and detection accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary layer of automated sensor-based inspection that acts as a preliminary filter before manual inspection. The processing circuitry analyzes sensor data to identify systems requiring attention, serving as a mediator between complete automated inspection and targeted manual inspection. This intermediary approach maintains high productivity while preserving detection accuracy by directing human expertise to only those cases where it is most needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If comprehensive manual inspection is performed, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity and operational procedures deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidoperational procedures
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection system performs self-service through automated sensor monitoring and data processing that independently identifies systems requiring manual inspection. The processing circuitry autonomously analyzes sensor data from multiple systems and generates inspection recommendations without requiring human intervention for the assessment phase. This self-service capability simplifies operational procedures while maintaining system reliability, as the automated system handles the complex data analysis that would otherwise require sophisticated manual inspection protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250148838A1Systems and methods for automatic system checks
Publication Date: 2025.05.08 OSHKOSH CORPORATION
  • US20250148838A1 patent drawing
  • US20250148838A1 patent drawing
  • US20250148838A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A refuse vehicle includes multiple systems, each system including a sensor. The refuse vehicle also includes an automated check system. The automated check system includes processing circuitry configured to obtain sensor data from the sensor of each of the multiple systems, determine which of the multiple systems require manual inspection based on the sensor data, and operate a display screen to prompt a technician to manually inspect one or more of the multiple systems.