Segmented Shields for Multi-Compartment Refuse Truck Bodies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-compartment refuse trucks face issues with separate material streams mixing during discharge due to the lack of controlled rear compartment openings, leading to spillage and increased costs from redundant hydraulic systems and maintenance in existing designs.
Innovation Solution
A multi-compartment truck body with segmented shields that can be selectively closed and opened to prevent material mixing, featuring a pivoting connection at the upper rear edge and actuators to manage the shield positions, ensuring separate and controlled discharge of materials from each compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single packing unit services multiple compartments with a fixed rear wall, then the structure is simpler and costs are reduced, but materials spill and mix during discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed rear wall is segmented into a upper fixed portion and a lower movable shield portion. The shield can be independently opened for each compartment during discharge while the upper fixed portion remains in place to maintain structural simplicity and prevent spillage.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower shield portion is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be dynamically opened for discharge while maintaining the overall simple structure. This dynamic element enables controlled material discharge without requiring complex redundant systems.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If separate packing units are provided for each compartment, then material mixing is prevented, but the cost and weight increase due to redundant structures and hydraulic systems
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple compartments share a single upper fixed rear wall and a single common hydraulic system. The lower shields for different compartments can be independently controlled, but the major structural and hydraulic components are merged to eliminate redundancy and reduce cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The single upper fixed rear wall serves all compartments simultaneously, providing universal structural support. The common hydraulic system can service multiple shields, making the system multi-functional and eliminating the need for separate hydraulic systems for each compartment.
3Productivity
If the packing unit is raised to discharge refuse, then compacted refuse can be ejected, but material spills out of the compartment opening before discharge begins
Solution Approach 1:
The lower shield is opened in advance before the packing unit is raised. This preliminary action prevents material from spilling out when the packing unit is elevated, while still allowing the subsequent discharge operation to proceed efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-compartment refuse collecting truck body includes segmented shields to close a rear opening of the compartments. The segmented shields are positioned to close a rear opening of the refuse compartments when a packing unit is raised to discharge refuse from one of the compartments. The segmented shields include a lower segment that can be placed in a packing position to allow refuse to be packing into the compartments by a packing unit, and moved to a closed position before the packing unit is raised to prevent unintended discharge of refuse from the compartments. A control system operates actuators in the packing unit and truck body in a pre-determined sequence to ensure that refuse is not mixed during unloading of the truck body and that actuators are not operated in a manner that will damage other systems of the truck body or packing unit.