Waste Receptacle Load Monitoring via Powertrain Speed
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional waste service vehicle sensors are expensive, slow to respond, inaccurate, and prone to damage due to their exposed locations, making them inadequate for effectively monitoring waste collection and compliance with regulations.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a lift actuator powered by a service vehicle's powertrain, a sensor generating a speed signal indicative of the powertrain's rotational speed, and a controller that determines the amount of waste lifted and relays this information to an output device, with a locating device providing location-specific data for accurate waste monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensors are mounted in exposed areas to monitor waste collection, then measurement capability is provided, but the sensors are prone to damage and have reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the powertrain as an intermediary component to indirectly measure waste weight. Instead of mounting sensors directly in exposed areas, the system measures powertrain speed changes that occur when lifting waste, converting the measurement function to a protected component that experiences the same mechanical conditions without being vulnerable to damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical sensors (strain gauges, pressure sensors) with a measurement system based on powertrain speed sensing. This substitution moves the measurement function from vulnerable mechanical sensors to the protected powertrain system, eliminating the need for exposed sensor mounting while maintaining measurement capability.
2Measurement precision
If conventional sensors are used to measure waste weight, then measurement function is provided, but the sensors are expensive and slow to respond
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the powertrain serve multiple functions: it both lifts the waste and provides the measurement signal. The speed sensor on the powertrain, already necessary for operation, is repurposed to provide waste weight measurement data, eliminating the need for separate expensive sensors and providing instantaneous response since the measurement is taken during the lifting operation itself.
3Measurement precision
If strain gauges are mounted in the bed of the service vehicle to measure payload change, then waste weight can be determined, but the sensors are exposed and prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the powertrain as an intermediary to measure payload weight indirectly. The speed sensor on the powertrain measures speed changes during waste lifting, which correlates to weight. This intermediary approach transfers the measurement function from exposed bed-mounted sensors to the protected powertrain system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the vulnerable bed mounting location and relocates it to the powertrain. By taking the sensing capability out of the exposed area and placing it on the protected powertrain component, the system eliminates sensor exposure while maintaining measurement capability.
4Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are associated with the hydraulic circuit to measure hydraulic pressure changes, then waste weight can be measured, but the sensors are expensive and mounted in exposed areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic pressure sensor system with a mechanical speed sensing system on the powertrain. Instead of measuring hydraulic pressure changes, the system measures powertrain speed changes during waste lifting, providing the same weight measurement function with a more reliable, protected sensor location.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides accurate, cost-effective, and robust waste monitoring, protecting sensors from damage and improving operational efficiency by utilizing existing vehicle components to determine waste collection amounts and locations.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to generate a speed signal indicative of a speed of the powertrain
Implementation Method 2
a lift actuator configured to cause lifting of the waste
Implementation Method 3
a power takeoff driven by a powertrain of the service vehicle to power the lift actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A system is disclosed for monitoring waste collected by a service vehicle. The system may include a lift actuator configured to cause lifting of the waste, a power takeoff driven by a powertrain of the service vehicle to power the lift actuator, and a sensor configured to generate a speed signal indicative of a speed of the powertrain. The system may also include an output device, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the output device. The controller may be configured to receive the speed signal from the sensor, determine an amount of waste lifted by the lift actuator based on the speed signal, and relay the amount of waste to the output device.