Locking arrangement in a refuse collection vehicle

Abstract

 The invention relates to an arrangement in load-carrying vehicles (1) comprising a loading space (2) defining an opening that can be closed off substantially completely by a hood (3), a power device (5) for opening and closing the hood (3) and a locking device (11,13) arranged for sealed locking of the hood (3) against said space (2). The invention is characterised in that the locking device (11,13) comprises a substantially vertically arranged and displaceable element (11) which is arranged in the loading space (2), and a locking clamp (13) arranged in the hood (3), said power device (5) being adapted to displace said element (11) through said locking clamp (13) when locking the hood (3). By means of the invention, a locking device is provided, especially suitable for locking a tailgate (3) against a refuse container (2) of a refuse collection vehicle (1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD:

[0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement in a refuse collection vehicle according to the preamble of the appended claim 1. The invention has its main application in connection with locking a tailgate against a refuse container of such a vehicle.

STATE OF THE ART:

[0002] Refuse collection vehicles, i.e. heavy duty lorries adapted for loading, discharge and transport of garbage and refuse, e.g. in the form of household refuse, are in common use.

[0003] For the handling of refuse, today's refuse collection vehicles are normally designed with a load compartment in the form of a refuse container, defining an opening for loading and discharge of refuse. Furthermore, today's refuse collection vehicles include a tailgate, pivotally suspended from an axle extending substantially across the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This arrangement enables the tailgate to be closed against the refuse container, i.e. so as to close off said opening. The tailgate is arranged so as to be opened and closed by means of appropriately designed power actuators, usually in the form of a number of hydraulic cylinders.

[0004] The patent document DE 35 21 276 A1 displays a refuse collection vehicle of the above type, comprising a refuse container and a tailgate being pivotally suspended in relation to the refuse container. Opening and closing of the tailgate is performed by means of hydraulic devices attached between the refuse container and the tailgate, on both sides of the vehicle. Each hydraulic device is furthermore attached to a rod that is movable, in a substantially vertical direction relative to the refuse container. The rod is used for locking the tailgate in its closed position, through being provided with a hook that, under influence of the cylinder device, may be displaced into engagement with a stud provided on the tailgate. In this manner a locking device is obtained, by means of which the tailgate can be secured to the opening defined by the refuse container.

[0005] Although the above arrangement in principle provides a satisfactory locking function for the tailgate, it has certain drawbacks, mainly due to a relatively low degree of accuracy being provided in closing and locking the tailgate. This causes insufficient sealing tightness between the tailgate and the refuse container when locked together, which may lead to leakage from the refuse container. It may also lead to a clearance occurring between the refuse container and the tailgate, which might in turn generate wear of the associated components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

[0006] A main object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem and to provide an improved locking device for a refuse collection vehicle and, more specifically, for the improved locking together of a tailgate and a refuse container of such a vehicle. This object is achieved by an arrangement, the characterising features of which are stated in claim 1.

[0007] The arrangement according to the invention is intended for load-carrying vehicles comprising a loading space defining an opening that can be closed off substantially completely by a hood, a power device for opening and closing the hood and a locking device arranged for sealed locking of the hood against said space. According to the invention, the locking device comprises a substantially vertically arranged and displaceable element which is arranged in the loading space, and a locking clamp arranged in the hood, said power device being adapted to displace said element through said locking clamp when locking the hood.

[0008] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined by the subsequent dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:

[0009] The invention will in the following be described in greater detail, with reference to a preferred embodiment and the appended drawings, where

Fig. 1

is a side view showing the rear end of a refuse collection vehicle in which the present invention can be utilised, showing the vehicle in a first working position,

Fig. 2

is a side view showing the refuse collection vehicle of Fig. 1, but in a second working position,

Fig. 3

is a side view showing the refuse collection vehicle according to Figs. 1 and 2, but in a third working position, and

Fig. 4

is a somewhat enlarged partial view of a locking device according to the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:

[0010] Fig. 1 shows a somewhat simplified side view of an arrangement according to the present invention. The device is especially intended for use in connection with a refuse collection vehicle 1, which is in a known manner provided with a refuse container 2 and a tailgate 3, arranged at the rear end of the vehicle 1. The refuse container 2 thus defines an opening for loading and discharge of refuse, whereby said opening may be opened and closed by means of the tailgate 3.

[0011] Although Fig. 1 shows only the rear end of the vehicle 1 in question, it will be understood that the vehicle 1 in a known manner is constructed generally as a load-carrying vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine and comprising a chassis, a driver's cab, etc.

[0012] The tailgate 3 is arranged to be opened and closed in relation to the refuse container 2 by being pivotally suspended about a pivot axle 4, extending generally across the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1. The tailgate 3 can be operated towards its open or closed position by means of two hydraulic power devices, arranged on either side of the vehicle 1. Only one of the hydraulic devices 5 is shown in Fig. 1. For operation of each hydraulic device 5, the vehicle is, in a known manner, provided with a (not shown) hydraulic pump, by means of which hydraulic oil can be fed to the hydraulic device 5 via (not shown) hydraulic piping.

[0013] The hydraulic device 5 shown in Fig. 1 comprises a rod 6, extendable from one end portion of the hydraulic device 5. The rod 6 is pivotally suspended at a suspension point 7 located in the upper portion of the tailgate 3. Furthermore, the opposite, lower end portion of the hydraulic device 5 is pivotally suspended by a short link arm 8 which is in tum pivotally suspended about a pivot axle 9 defined in a bracket 10. This bracket 10 is in turn fixedly attached to the rear end of the refuse container 2. According to what will be described in detail below, said link arm 8 is furthermore pivotally suspended in an element which is displaceable in relation to the refuse container 2. According to the embodiment, said element consists of a locking rod 11 which is substantially vertically arranged and displaceable a certain distance in a substantially vertical direction.

[0014] Fig. 1 shows the arrangement according to the invention in a first working position, in which the tailgate 3 is open and consequently the refuse container 2 is accessible for loading or discharging refuse. This corresponds to the locking rod 11 having assumed an upper end position and to the rod 6 being extended essentially completely out of the hydraulic device 5.

[0015] From Fig. 1 it is also apparent that that end portion of said link arm 8 to which the lower end of the cylinder device 5 is attached, is resting against a stop element 12 in the form of a support, fixedly attached to the rear end of the refuse container 2. The stop element 12 is arranged so as to extend some distance upwards and rearwards relative to the rear end of the refuse container 2.

[0016] With reference to Fig. 2, the invention is shown in a second working position, characterised by the tailgate 3 being closed and to this end having been brought into contact with the opening of the refuse container 2. In order to reach this state, each hydraulic device 5 is operated (in a manner which is known per se and which is not described in detail here) so as to withdraw its rod 6 a certain amount. This entails that the tailgate 3 is effected to pivot around its pivot axle 4 to finally arrive in a position to cover the opening defined by the refuse container 2. In this state, according to what will be explained in detail below, the tailgate 3 is thus closed, however not locked.

[0017] Fig. 3 shows the tailgate 3 in substantially the same position as in Fig. 2, but with the important difference that it is also locked in relation to the refuse container 2. Fig. 3 shows how the locking rod 11 can be actuated for achieving this locking of the tailgate 3. To this end, each hydraulic device 5 is activated so as to withdraw its rod 6 a bit further in relation to what is shown in Fig. 2, preferably so as to withdraw it completely into the hydraulic device 5. In this manner, the link arm 8 will be pivoted somewhat around its pivot axle 9, the lower end portion of the hydraulic device 5 being raised from contact with the stop element 12. This also entails that the locking rod 11 is displaced a short distance downwards, more specifically so that its lower end portion extends into a separate locking element in the form of a locking clamp 13. This locking clamp is affixed to the lower portion of the tailgate 3. According to Fig. 4, which is a somewhat enlarged side view of the lower portion of the locking rod 11 and of the locking clamp 13, it can be seen how the locking rod 11 is extending down into an aperture 14 defined by the locking clamp 13 so as to bear with one side thereof on a support element, preferably consisting of a roller 15. The roller 15 is in tum attached to the locking clamp 13 and is rotatingly arranged and extending substantially at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the locking rod 11. The roller 15 is preferably made of steel and is attached in such a way that the tailgate 3 (when the locking rod 11 is brought to bear on the roller 15) is pulled towards the refuse container 2. In this way the tailgate 3 can be closed and secured.

[0018] According to what is evident from especially Fig. 4, the locking clamp 13 is attached so as to be displaceable along the lower part of the tailgate 3, more specifically in a substantially longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1. To this end, the locking clamp 13 is designed with longitudinal slots 16, co-operating with fastening screws 17 for attachment to the tailgate 3. Furthermore, an adjustment screw 18 is provided, which is fastened to the tailgate 3 by means of a bracket element 19. The adjustment screw 18 is arranged so as to extend towards the locking clamp 13. Due to the fact that the adjustment screw 18 cooperates with a corresponding stop nut 20, i.e. by adjusting the position of the stop nut 20 on the adjustment screw 18, the locking clamp 13 can be set to a desired longitudinal position. In this way, the roller 15 can be adjusted very precisely in relation to the locking rod 11. In this manner, an adjustment mechanism is achieved, by means of which the locking rod 11 can be made to contact the roller 15 with a desired force, for sealingly locking the tailgate 3 against the refuse container 2. Besides that, the adjustment screw 18 will serve as a force-absorbing element for absorbing the forces acting on the locking clamp 13 when the tailgate 3 is locked against the refuse container 2.

[0019] Thus, it is a basic principle behind the present invention, that the locking rod 11 and the locking clamp 13 combine to provide an adjustable locking device for sealingly locking the tailgate 3 against the refuse container 2. This is advantageous in that the locking clamp 13 can be easily adjusted into a suitable longitudinal position, which is especially advantageous as with time, the material of the roller 15 may be subjected to deformation and wear, creating a demand for a simple adjustment mechanism for the locking arrangement according to the invention. Furthermore, according to the invention, a combined closing of the tailgate 3 and a locking thereof against the refuse container 2 is provided by activation of the respective hydraulic device 5.

[0020] Although it is not shown in the figures, the refuse container 2 is preferably provided with a sealing strip, suitably made of rubber or a similar material, extending around the opening defined by the refuse container 2. Preferably, the sealing strip extends along at least the lower and side edges of the opening. After locking the above discussed locking device, a leak-proof joint will be provided between the refuse container 2 and the tailgate 3, as the sealing strip is then compressed between the refuse container 2 and the tailgate 3. This is an advantage as any leakage from the refuse container 2 can then be eliminated. Besides that, the risks of e.g. wear due to excess tolerances of the refuse container 2 and the tailgate 3 are reduced.

[0021] For exact guidance of each locking rod 11 into contact against its respective roller 15, a guiding element 21 is preferably provided for the locking rod 11. The guiding element 21 is arranged as a guide surface for the locking rod 11 and is provided at the lower portion of the refuse container 2.

[0022] In Figs. 1-3, only one locking device is shown, i.e. only one locking rod 11, one locking clamp 13, etc. Preferably, however, the vehicle in question is provided with two such arrangements, one at each side of the vehicle 1.

[0023] The process described above applies in connection with closing and locking of the tailgate 3. During the reverse process, i.e. during unlocking and opening the tailgate 3, each hydraulic device 5 is initially activated so as to pull up the locking rod 11, i.e. pull it out of contact with the locking clamp 13. This leads to the lower portion of the hydraulic device 5 coming to rest against the stop element 12. Thus, the stop element 12 defines a contact surface for the hydraulic device 5 defining the position where the tailgate 3 will begin to open, which is achieved by continued activation of the hydraulic device 5. Through the rod 6 being successively pushed out of the hydraulic device 5, the tailgate 3 will eventually assume the position shown in Fig. 1, whereby the refuse compartment 2 is again accessible for loading and discharge of refuse.

[0024] The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but may be varied within the scope of the appended patent claims. For example, the invention can be utilised in vehicles adapted for handling and transport of e.g. household refuse, recyclable material and environment-hazardous refuse, or for handling of other loads in a container which can be sealed.

Claims

1. Arrangement in load-carrying vehicles (1) comprising a loading space (2) defining an opening that can be closed off substantially completely by a hood (3), a power device (5) for opening and closing the hood (3) and a locking device (11, 13) arranged for sealed locking of the hood (3) against said space (2), characterised in that the locking device (11, 13) comprises a substantially vertically arranged and displaceable element (11) which is arranged in the loading space (2), and a locking clamp (13) arranged in the hood (3), said power device (5) being adapted to displace said element (11) through said locking clamp (13) when locking the hood (3).

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterised i n that the locking clamp (13) carries a support element (15) with which the lower end portion of said element (11) is brought into contact during said locking operation.

3. Arrangement according to claim 2, characterised i n that the locking clamp (13) is displaceably arranged in relation to said hood (3) for adjustment of the position of the support element (15) relative to the position of said locking rod (11) during said locking operation.

4. Arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the support element (15) consists of a roller, rotatingly arranged about an axle extending substantially at right angles to the longitudinal direction of said element (11).

5. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that the locking rod (11) is connected to one end portion of said power device (5) via a pivotally arranged link arm (8), whereby activation of said power device (5) when the hood is closed causes said locking of the locking device (11, 13).

6. Refuse collection vehicle (1) comprising the arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims.

Drawing