Domestic refuse collection vehicle

Abstract

 A domestic refuse collection vehicle comprises a mobile chassis (3) with a loading space (1) for collected refuse. The loading space is provided on one of its sides with a loading trough (2) with a compacting device, which compacting device comprises a movable pressing plate (30,31,32) which, when energized, is able to carry refuse from the trough to the loading space and to compact it therein. The pressing plate is placed in a position wherein it leaves clear a space (60) to a bottom (22) of the loading trough (2). Close to the loading trough there is arranged a suction device (5,50,51,55) which debouches with an exhaust opening (56) via said space into the loading space, therein leaving a part of said space (60) free. The part of said space left free provides an outflow opening for air from the loading space, wherein a filter (70) is arranged in an air outflow path between the exhaust opening (56) of the suction device and said outflow opening (60), which filter is able to hold back at least a large part of the refuse drawn in by the suction device.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a domestic refuse collection vehicle comprising a mobile chassis with a loading space for collected refuse, which loading space is provided on one of its sides with a loading trough with a compacting device, which compacting device comprises a movable pressing plate which when energized is able to carry refuse out of the trough to the loading space and to compact it therein.

[0002] Domestic refuse collection vehicles are employed on a large scale to collect and dispose of waste from homes, companies and institutions. This is usually a truck with a container-like loading space which is provided at the rear with a loading trough with a compacting device. The compacting device comprises a hydraulically operated pressing plate which is able to scrape waste tipped into the loading trough to the loading space and to compact it therein. As a result of this compacting action the loading capacity of the vehicle can thus be increased significantly. The pressing plate moreover provides closure of the loading space in which a large quantity of refuse is eventually brought together. Formerly, and in some places still, the refuse, optionally packed in bags, is thrown separately into the loading trough; applied to an increasing extent nowadays are containers of different types and sizes which are emptied into the loading trough.

[0003] Although such domestic refuse collection vehicles are very well suited to the collection of refuse, this is at the same time a limitation thereof. Apart from the collection of refuse, domestic refuse collection vehicles are not normally employed for anything else.

[0004] It is the object of the present invention to provide a domestic refuse collection vehicle of the type stated in the preamble which, in addition to collecting domestic refuse, can also be otherwise employed.

[0005] In order to achieve the stated objective a domestic refuse collection vehicle of the type stated in the preamble has the feature that the pressing plate is placed in a position wherein it leaves clear a space to a bottom of the loading trough, that at least close to the loading trough there is arranged a suction device which debouches with an exhaust opening via said space into the loading space, therein leaving a part of said space free, and that the space left free in said space provides an outflow opening for air from the loading space and that a filter is arranged in an air outflow path between the exhaust opening of the suction device and said outflow opening, which filter is able to hold back at least a large part of the refuse drawn in by the suction device.

[0006] Owing to the incorporation of the suction device in or at least close to the loading trough thereof, the domestic refuse collection vehicle can also be employed to suck up tree leaves in the autumn season. This is very seasonal work, so that it is often not very economic to utilize special vehicles for this purpose which then stand idle for the rest of the year. Owing to the invention however, an existing domestic refuse collection vehicle can be employed for this purpose. The conversion of a domestic refuse collection vehicle to a fully fledged leaf suction device, and vice versa, can be carried out very quickly so that the truck fleet otherwise utilized only for refuse collection can be at least partly converted during the fall season to be applied temporarily for the removal of fallen tree leaves. No, or at least fewer vehicles therefore need to be specifically purchased for this purpose. Nor is the domestic refuse collection vehicle according to the invention limited in its application to sucking up tree leaves, but the truck can also be employed to collect and remove other street litter quickly and efficiently, such as for instance paper, soft-drink cans and other such waste which is normally left lying around after markets and events. This is also a temporary use of a vacuum vehicle for which a standard domestic refuse collection vehicle can be used as a result of the invention.

[0007] In a particular embodiment the domestic refuse collection vehicle according to the invention is characterized herein in that the fan housing comprises a fan which is driven for rotation therein on a rotation axis, and that the rotation axis is directed at least substantially parallel to the pressing plate. By thus placing the fan flat under the pressing plate the space left clear by the pressing plate is utilized optimally so that a fan with a sufficiently large suction capacity can be accommodated there.

[0008] The conversion of a domestic refuse collection vehicle to a leaf suction device can take place in a short time due to the invention. With a view hereto, a further embodiment of a domestic refuse collection vehicle according to the invention has the feature that the suction device is pre-mounted at least partially on a mounting frame which is connected in manually releasable manner to the vehicle close to the loading trough. Much time can be saved in the conversion of a vehicle by thus at least partially pre-mounting the suction device on the mounting frame. Only the mounting frame with the suction device thereon now need be arranged and the possible connections and seals of the suction device connected. As mounting frame use is preferably made herein of a standard mounting frame for domestic refuse collection vehicles, such as is usually also applied for instance for containers for loading domestic refuse and the like. The vehicle itself thus requires no modification, or hardly any, and the existing container loading mechanism can be readily exchanged for the suction device according to the invention.

[0009] A further particular embodiment of a domestic refuse collection vehicle has the feature according to the invention that the fan housing is coupled to an outlet and that the outlet rises along the pressing plate on an inner side of the loading space and has an exhaust opening on a top side of the loading space. Thus positioning the exhaust opening on the top side of the loading space achieves that the sucked-up leaves and the like are blown far to the front of the loading space, so that optimal loading is obtained and the exhaust opening will not be easily blocked.

[0010] A further preferred embodiment of a domestic refuse collection vehicle has the feature according to the invention that the fan housing is coupled to an inlet and that the inlet comprises a suction hose mounted rotatably on an axis. Because use is made according to the invention of a domestic refuse collection vehicle as a basis for a leaf suction device, the vehicle will usually be relatively sizeable. So as to nevertheless reach places with difficult access with a relatively short suction hose, the suction hose is suspended rotatably in this embodiment, so that the suction hose can be manoeuvred by hand into all corners around the loading trough of the vehicle.

[0011] A further particular embodiment of a domestic refuse collection vehicle has the feature according to the invention that the filter extends over at least practically the full height of the loading space at least substantially along the pressing plate and therein maintains a certain distance from the pressing plate. By thus starting from a relatively extensive grid which extends over at least practically the full height of the loading space, the exhaust air can escape over this whole area from the loading space. The distance between the filter and the pressing plate provides a cavity via which the air can reach the free space under the pressing plate in the loading trough. The air velocity hereby remains limited, which is important from an ergonomic viewpoint. This particularly avoids workers who are using the leaf suction device being continuously exposed to a strong airflow. In a further embodiment of the domestic refuse collection vehicle according to the invention use is made for the filter of a perforated grid with a corrugated profiling. Owing to this profiling such a grid still retains sufficient rigidity and firmness even in the case of a relatively large surface area. A corrugated profiling within the scope of the invention is otherwise understood to mean not only a more or less sinus-shaped profile but also for instance a block shape or dovetail and the like.

[0012] The invention will now be further elucidated with reference to an embodiment and a drawing. In the drawing:

figure 1

shows a side view of an embodiment of a domestic refuse collection vehicle according to the invention;

figure 2

shows a top view of a part of the domestic refuse collection vehicle of figure 1;

figure 3

shows a cross-section along line A-A in figure 2; and

figure 4

shows a cross-section along line B-B in figure 2.

[0013] The figures are purely schematic and not drawn to scale. For the sake of clarity some dimensions in particular are (highly) exaggerated. Corresponding parts are designated where possible in the figures with the same reference numerals.

[0014] The domestic refuse collection vehicle of figure 1 comprises a mobile chassis 3 with driver's cab 4 on which is constructed a container-like loading space for collected domestic refuse. This is a domestic refuse collection vehicle having at the rear a loading trough 2 provided with a so-called compacting device arranged at the rear of loading space 1 of the vehicle. The compacting device comprises a hydraulically operated pressing plate 30, see figure 3 which, when energized, is able to carry domestic refuse tipped into loading trough 2 out of trough 2 to the loading space 1 and to compact it therein. Because of this compacting device the collecting capacity of the vehicle is appreciably higher than without such a plate 30.

[0015] The loading trough with the compacting device therein is mounted on the roof of the vehicle for pivoting on a rotation axis 12, see figure 3, so that once it is full a vehicle can be emptied. For this purpose the whole unit of loading trough 2 and compacting device 30 is pushed upward hydraulically to open the rear side of loading space 1. Situated at the front of the loading space is a plate which slides hydraulically to the rear to thus drive the load of the vehicle out of the loading space. This describes in broad outline the normal operation of such a domestic refuse collection vehicle.

[0016] Loading trough 2 of the vehicle of figure 1 provides space for a suction device 5 which is accommodated partially therein. The suction device comprises a fan housing 50, which is mounted in a lying position under pressing plate 30, with a suction hose 51 which is suspended pivotally and height-adjustably behind the vehicle. The whole suction device is pre-mounted on a mounting frame 40 and arranged together therewith on suspension points provided for this purpose on the rear side of the vehicle, which considerably shortens build-in time.

[0017] Figure 2 shows a top view in more detail of the rearmost part of the domestic refuse collection vehicle of figure 1, in which the compacting device is accommodated. The pressing plate 30 of the compacting device is energized hydraulically and is intended for the purpose of scraping refuse out of the loading trough 2 that has been tipped therein, and shifting it to the loading space for compaction therein. In order to carry out the movement required for this purpose the pressing plate 30 comprises at least two relatively pivotable parts 31,32, a lower part 32 of which is shown in figures 3 and 4 in its upper position, wherein a space to a bottom 22 of the loading trough is left clear. In this position a suction device is integrated according to the invention into loading trough 2, wherein the space to the bottom 22 of loading trough 20 left clear by pressing plate 30 is used to partially accommodate suction device 5 therein. To this end the existing container loading mechanism on the rear side of the loading trough is removed and mounting frame 40 having therein the fan housing 50 of suction device 5 is arranged thereon instead.

[0018] Mounting frame 40 makes use of the same fixing as the original frame with the container loading mechanism so that the vehicle does not have to be modified. This fixing comprises a hinge mounting 41 on the one side and a locking 42 on the opposite side. Fan housing 50 is placed flat in the mounting frame and not upright. The fan therein therefore rotates on a rotation axis lying at least substantially vertically. The advantage of this arrangement is that a comparatively large fan can thus be applied despite the relatively small overall height available under the pressing plate. It has been found in practice that fans can thus be built in with a capacity which is more than adequate for the function intended here.

[0019] Fan housing 50 comprises on the inlet side a flexible suction hose 51 which is mounted thereon for rotation on a vertical axis. Suction hose 51 is suspended by means of a system of arms 52 and hydraulic cylinders 53 in order to bear the weight thereof. The suction hose can moreover be operated both in height direction and in radial direction around the vertical axis by means of hydraulic cylinders 53. The up and downward movements of the hose are operated electro-hydraulically by means of a joystick or similar control member fixed on or in a hand-grip of the suction hose or any other position which is ideal from an ergonomic viewpoint. Because of an efficient mounting, the radial movement of the suction hose can be performed manually with relatively little effort. On the outer end the suction hose 51 comprises a suction mouthpiece 54 with which tree leaves and other street litter can be sucked up thoroughly and efficiently. If desired, other attachments can be mounted on suction mouthpiece 54 to facilitate suction.

[0020] On the outlet side of fan housing 50 the suction device comprises an outlet 55 which rises along the pressing plate 30 on an inner side of loading space 1 and debouches on an upper side of the loading space into an exhaust opening 56. Applied here for the outlet is a steel tube profile having typically a length and width of about 30-50 by 20-30 cm in accordance with the capacity of the suction device. Sucked-up leaves and other street litter are guided via the outlet into the top of the loading space and then blown as far as possible toward the front of the loading space. The loading space is thus filled evenly from the front to the rear. The inlet airflow is indicated schematically in figure 3 with arrows.

[0021] The air can then leave the loading space via an outflow path. This outflow path extends over the whole rear part of the loading space where this is not occupied by the outlet of the suction device and debouches into an outflow opening on either side of the outlet in the space under pressing plate 30. This exhaust airflow is indicated schematically in figure 4 with arrows. So as not to lose leaves and other waste which has just been sucked up via this same path, a filter 70 is received in the outflow path between exhaust opening 56 and outflow opening 60 which is able to hold back at least a major part of the leaves and other waste.

[0022] The filter comprises a steel grid with a corrugated profiling in which a regular pattern of perforations is arranged. The profiling can be arranged by starting from a flat plate and bending this alternately to the left and to the right such that a block profile or dovetail profile is obtained, which can be seen in figure 2. The perforations cannot otherwise be seen within the scale of the figures but are assumed sufficiently well known. As a result of the arranged profiling the filter retains firmness and strength despite the relatively large surface area over which it extends.

[0023] The filter is not placed directly against the pressing plate 30 but maintains a certain distance therefrom so as to form a cavity 71 therebetween. Owing to this cavity the air from the suction device can leave the loading space over virtually the full width and height, so that the airflow speed can remain limited and an outflow path remains open until almost full loading. The cavity thus forms as it were an air duct which debouches into outflow opening 60 below pressing plate 30.

[0024] All in all the invention thus provides an exceptionally practical second use for a domestic refuse collection vehicle which can be converted for this purpose in no time, and vice versa.

[0025] Although the invention has been elucidated above with reference to only a single embodiment, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited to the given example. On the contrary, many other variations and embodiments are still possible for a person with ordinary skill in the art without him being required to depart from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Domestic refuse collection vehicle comprising a mobile chassis with a loading space for collected refuse, which loading space is provided on one of its sides with a loading trough with a compacting device, which compacting device comprises a movable pressing plate which, when energized, is able to carry refuse from the trough to the loading space and to compact it therein, characterized in that the pressing plate is placed in a position wherein it leaves clear a space to a bottom of the loading trough, that at least close to the loading trough there is arranged a suction device which debouches with an exhaust opening via said space into the loading space, therein leaving a part of said space free, and that the part of said space left free provides an outflow opening for air from the loading space, and that a filter is arranged in an air outflow path between the exhaust opening of the suction device and said outflow opening, which filter is able to hold back at least a large part of the refuse drawn in by the suction device.

2. Domestic refuse collection vehicle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the fan housing comprises a fan which is driven for rotation therein on a rotation axis and that the rotation axis is directed at least substantially parallel to the pressing plate.

3. Domestic refuse collection vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the suction device is pre-mounted at least partially on a mounting frame which is connected in manually releasable manner to the vehicle close to the loading trough.

4. Domestic refuse collection vehicle as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the fan housing is coupled to an outlet and that the outlet rises along the pressing plate on an inner side of the loading space and has an exhaust opening on a top side of the loading space.

5. Domestic refuse collection vehicle as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the fan housing is coupled to an inlet and that the inlet comprises a suction hose mounted rotatably on an axis.

6. Domestic refuse collection vehicle as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the filter extends over at least practically the full height of the loading space at least substantially along the pressing plate and therein maintains a certain distance from the pressing plate.

7. Domestic refuse collection vehicle as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the filter comprises a perforated grid with a corrugated profiling.

Drawing