Motor vehicle for collecting and transporting waste in an urban environment

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a motor vehicle for collecting and transporting waste in an urban environment, comprising a mobile structure (2) that supports a vat (3) for containing waste and is provided with driving wheels (4) that can be actuated by an internal combustion traction engine (5), and a hydraulic unit (6) for the actuation of at least one service apparatus (7) associated with the mobile structure (2).
According to the invention, there are electric means (11) for actuating the hydraulic unit (6) and actuation means (12) that are adapted to automatically turn off the traction engine (5) and to automatically enable the possibility to activate the electric actuation means (11), as a consequence of the activation of means for safe locking of the mobile structure (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle for collecting and transporting waste in an urban environment.

[0002] In urban environments motor vehicles for collecting and transporting waste are currently used, which basically consist in a mobile structure that supports a vat for containing waste and, behind the vat for containing waste, a device for moving and tipping containers, such as skips or bins, which are used to collect refuse and are distributed in predetermined areas along urban streets, in order to allow the automatic loading of the waste placed in the containers into the containment vat.

[0003] Such motor vehicles are, generally, provided with an internal combustion traction engine, which, in addition to operating the driving wheels of the motor vehicle, is also designed to power the hydraulic unit for actuating the device for moving and tipping containers.

[0004] During the operations of loading the waste into the vat, the motor vehicle is left stationary near the containers to be emptied with the traction engine running in order to enable the operators to carry out the actuation of the device for moving and tipping the containers.

[0005] It is clear that the emission of exhaust gases by the internal combustion traction engine during the activation of the device for moving and tipping the containers, as well as the high levels of noise generated by the traction engine itself, are not acceptable, especially when the motor vehicles are used in historic city centers.

[0006] The main aim of the present invention is to provide a solution to the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a motor vehicle for collecting and transporting waste in an urban environment, which makes it possible to limit the use of the internal combustion traction engine.

[0007] Within this aim, a further object of the invention is to provide a motor vehicle for collecting and transporting waste in an urban environment, that makes it possible to reduce fuel consumption.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a motor vehicle for collecting and transporting waste in an urban environment, that makes it possible to lower the emissions of pollutant gases and to reduce the production of noise when it is used in historic city centers.

[0009] Another aim of the present invention is to provide a motor vehicle for collecting and transporting waste in an urban environment that is easy and practical to use for the operators.

[0010] Another aim of the invention is to provide a motor vehicle for collecting and transporting waste in an urban environment that offers the highest guarantees of reliability and safety in operation.

[0011] A further object of the present invention is to provide a motor vehicle for collecting and transporting waste in an urban environment that can be easily made from elements and materials that are readily available on the market so as to be competitive from a purely economic viewpoint as well.

[0012] This aim and these objects, as well as others which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a motor vehicle for collecting and transporting waste in an urban environment, according to the invention, that comprises a mobile structure that supports a vat for containing waste and is provided with driving wheels, which can be actuated by an internal-combustion traction engine, and a hydraulic unit for the actuation of at least one service apparatus associated with said mobile structure, and is characterized in that it comprises electric means for the actuation of said hydraulic unit and actuation means that are adapted to automatically turn off said traction engine and to automatically enable the possibility to activate said electric actuation means, as a consequence of the activation of means for safe locking of said mobile structure.

[0013] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the motor vehicle for collecting and transporting waste in an urban environment, according to the invention, illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the motor vehicle according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a diagram of the operation of the motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0014] With reference to the figures, the motor vehicle for collecting and transporting waste in an urban environment, according to the invention, generally designated with the reference numeral 1, comprises a mobile structure 2, which supports a vat 3 for containing waste.

[0015] The mobile structure 2 is provided with driving wheels 4, which can be operated by an internal combustion traction engine 5, which can be, for example, fuelled by gasoline or Diesel.

[0016] The traction engine 5 is, conveniently, provided, as normal, with its own ignition device, which is, for example, controllable using an ignition key that also activates the electrical system of the motor vehicle.

[0017] Mounted on the mobile structure 2 is a hydraulic unit 6, which is designed for the actuation of one or more service apparatuses 7 associated with the mobile structure 2 of the motor vehicle.

[0018] In particular, the apparatuses 7 can comprise, for example, a device for loading the waste into the containment vat 3, which can conveniently consist in a gripping and movement element 8, of any known type, which makes it possible to operate the lifting and the tipping of containers 9, such as skips, bins or the like, in order to introduce the content of such containers 9 into the vat 3 for containing waste.

[0019] Advantageously, the service apparatuses 7 can further comprise a waste compactor 10, known per se, which makes it possible to compact the waste poured into the vat 3 for containing waste, and a device for tipping the vat 3 for containing waste, also known per se, which makes it possible to perform the emptying of the vat 3 for containing waste.

[0020] As normal, on the mobile structure 2 there is, conveniently, a driver's cab 2a, which is arranged in front of the vat 3 for containing waste, in the direction of forward motion of the mobile structure 2.

[0021] The peculiarity of the invention is that it comprises electric actuation means 11 that are designed to actuate the hydraulic unit 6 and which are, preferably, accommodated in a reception space defined in the mobile structure 2, below the vat 3 for containing waste.

[0022] Also according to the invention, actuation means 12 are provided, that are adapted to automatically turn off the traction engine 5 and to automatically enable the possibility to activate the electric actuation means 11, as a consequence of the activation of means for safe locking of the mobile structure 2.

[0023] Conveniently, the safe locking means comprise a parking brake 13 associated with the mobile structure 2 and constituted, for example, by the handbrake normally provided on the mobile structure 2, inside the driver's cab 2a.

[0024] Advantageously, the actuation means 12 also automatically turn on the traction engine 5 and automatically disable the possibility to activate the electric actuation means 11, as a consequence of the deactivation of means for safe locking of the mobile structure 2.

[0025] Advantageously, the actuation means 12 are controlled by means for activation or deactivation 14, which can be operated by the user, in order to enable or disable the intervention of the actuation means 12.

[0026] Conveniently, the means for activation or deactivation 14 can comprise a manually-operated button 15, which is, conveniently, located in the driver's cab 2a.

[0027] Advantageously, the actuation means 12 are also associated with signaling means 16, which enable the user to verify the status of activation or deactivation of the actuation means 12.

[0028] Conveniently, the signaling means 16 can consist in a luminous indicator 17, located in the driver's cab 2a.

[0029] For example, the luminous indicator 17 is on when the actuation means 12 are activated, and it is off when the actuation means 12 are deactivated.

[0030] Advantageously, the actuation means 12 are also functionally connected to a service brake 18 of the mobile structure 2, located in the driver's cab 2a and operable by the user between an active condition for locking and an inactive condition for releasing the mobile structure 2.

[0031] The service brake 18 is constituted, for example, by the pedal brake normally provided in the mobile structure 2 of the motor vehicle in order to perform the locking of the corresponding wheels.

[0032] In this way, it is advantageously possible for the enabling of the actuation means 12 to be made subordinate to positioning the service brake 18 in the active condition for locking.

[0033] In practice, the actuation means 12 can be designed to automatically turn off the traction engine 5 and automatically enable the possibility to activate the electric actuation means 11, as a consequence of the activation of the parking brake 13, and also automatically turn on the traction engine 5 and automatically disable the possibility to activate the electric actuation means 11, as a consequence of the deactivation of the parking brake 13, only if the service brake 18 is first placed in its active condition for locking the mobile structure 2.

[0034] It should also be noted that the driving wheels 4 of the mobile structure 2 are, as normal, connected, conveniently, to the traction engine 5 by means of a motion transmission unit 19, which can be deactivated by placing a gearbox 20 in neutral, which can be done by the user via a gear lever 21, located in the driver's cab 2a.

[0035] Conveniently, the actuation means 12 can be functionally connected to the gearbox 20, so as to be capable of being enabled with the gearbox 20 first being placed in neutral.

[0036] In particular, advantageously, the actuation means 12 can be designed to automatically turn off the traction engine 5 and automatically enable the possibility to activate the electric actuation means 11, as a consequence of the activation of the parking brake 13, and also automatically turn on the traction engine 5 and automatically disable the possibility to activate the electric actuation means 11, as a consequence of the deactivation of the parking brake 13, only if the gearbox 20 is first placed in neutral.

[0037] More preferably, the enabling of the actuation means 12 can be designed so that it can occur only if the gearbox 20 is first placed in neutral and the service brake 18 is subsequently positioned in the active condition for locking.

[0038] In more specific detail, the actuation means 12 comprise a first electronic controller 12a which is functionally connected, in input, to the parking brake 13, to the service brake 18 and to the gearbox 20.

[0039] The first electronic controller 12a is furthermore connected in input to the means for activation or deactivation 14.

[0040] More specifically, functionally connected in input to the electronic controller 12a is a first activation sensor 22, which is associated with the parking brake 13 and is designed to detect the status of activation or deactivation of the parking brake 13.

[0041] Conveniently, the first activation sensor 22 can be constituted by a first proximity sensor that can detect the position of activation, or deactivation, of the command lever 23 of the handbrake.

[0042] Advantageously, a second activation sensor 24 is also provided, which is connected in input to the first electronic controller 12a and is associated with the service brake 18, in order to detect the status of activation or deactivation of the service brake 18 itself.

[0043] Conveniently, the second activation sensor 24 is constituted by a second proximity sensor that makes it possible to detect the position of the actuation pedal 25 of the service brake 18, so as to determine the status of activation (or not) of the service brake 18 itself.

[0044] Also connected in input to the first electronic controller 12a is a third activation sensor 26, which is associated with the gearbox 20 in order to detect its being placed in neutral.

[0045] Furthermore, as shown in the diagram in Figure 2, the first electronic controller 12a is functionally connected in output to the traction engine 5.

[0046] More precisely, the first electronic controller 12a is connected to the traction engine 5 by means of an automatic "start/stop" device 27, which is known per se, such as for example the one developed by the German company Bosch.

[0047] Advantageously, the automatic "start/stop" device 27 is capable of acting, by way of electronic control means integrated with it, on different components of the traction engine 5, such as, for example, the starting motor, the battery or the fuel injection systems, in order to automatically turn on or turn off the traction engine 5.

[0048] Advantageously, the first electronic controller 12a is functionally interconnected to a second electronic controller 12b, constituted, for example, by a PLC device, which is adapted to drive the electric actuation means 11 of the hydraulic unit 6.

[0049] In more detail, the electric actuation means 11 comprise, conveniently, at least one electric motor 28, which is functionally connected to the hydraulic unit 6.

[0050] Advantageously, the electric motor 28 is powered by electric power means that comprise, conveniently, auxiliary batteries 29, for example of the monobloc type, which can be recharged by the traction engine 5, when the motor vehicle is in motion, or via connection to the electric mains, when the motor vehicle is stationary, as will be better explained hereinbelow.

[0051] More specifically, the hydraulic unit 6 comprises, advantageously, a hydraulic pump, consisting in an electric pump 6a, which is driven by the electric motor 28 and which supplies, advantageously, by means of a hydraulic circuit (not shown), one or more actuator cylinders 30, which are designed to actuate the service apparatuses 7.

[0052] The second electronic controller 12a, based on the signals that it receives from the first electronic controller 12a, can then dictate the functioning of the hydraulic unit 6 via the electric pump 6a.

[0053] More specifically, the second electronic controller 12b is functionally connected, in a way that is known per se, to the electric motor 28, so as to be able to enable or disable, in the presence (or not) of appropriate signals of assent originating from the first electronic controller 12a, the possibility to activate the electric motor 28 and, therefore, the possibility to actuate the hydraulic unit 6 by means of the electric pump 6a.

[0054] Once activated by the second electronic controller 12b, the electric motor 28 is then actuated only when the apparatuses 7 are used.

[0055] In particular, the electric motor 28 can be actuated by pressing an actuation button 31 at the same time as a lever 32 for actuating the device for loading the waste or the waste compactor 10 or by pressing a button 33 to start the device for tipping the vat 3 for containing waste.

[0056] It should be noted that, conveniently, the first electronic controller 12a also acts on the signaling means 16, so as to control their activation, when the actuation means 12 are enabled by the user by pressing the button 15.

[0057] It should also be added that, conveniently, at the gearbox 20 a power take-off (not shown) can be provided, which can be connected to a mechanical pump (also not shown), for example of the cogwheel type, which supplies the hydraulic unit 6, in order to allow the possibility to actuate the hydraulic unit 6 with the traction engine 5 running and the actuation means 12 deactivated.

[0058] If the actuation means 12 are activated, by way of the means for activation or deactivation 14, when the power take-off is functionally connected with the mechanical pump, the second electronic controller 12b, advantageously, disengages the power take-off and automatically commands the possibility to actuate the electric pump 6a.

[0059] For the sake of completeness, it should, moreover, be noted that charging the auxiliary batteries 29 with the traction engine 5 turned off is, conveniently, achieved by accessing, by means of an electric mains socket, alternating electric current at 230V, which is made to pass through a battery charger rectifier, which transforms it to direct current, for example 24V, before being sent to the auxiliary battery 29.

[0060] Conveniently, charging the auxiliary batteries 29 with the traction engine 5 running is done by taking direct current from the battery of the electrical system of the motor vehicle by means of a relay actuated by a timer, calibrated for a preset time interval, for example about 60 seconds. The timer is, in its turn, actuated by the oil pressure sensor of the traction engine 5, so as to allow the withdrawal of current from the battery of the motor vehicle only when the traction engine 5 is running and after the preset time interval since the traction engine 5 was turned on (set with the timer) has elapsed. The direct current taken from the battery of the motor vehicle is then transformed by an inverter to alternating current at 230V and is made to pass through the battery charger rectifier which transforms it into direct current at 24V, before sending it to the auxiliary batteries 29.

[0061] Advantageously, a safety relay is further provided to guard against the simultaneous connection of both the electric mains and the inverter to the auxiliary batteries 29. In practice, the battery charger rectifier is normally powered by the inverter, but when the plug is connected to the electric mains, the safety relay switches the power supply from the inverter to the electric mains.

[0062] Operation of the motor vehicle according to the invention is the following.

[0063] The traction engine 5 is turned on by the user by means of the ignition key, which commands the traditional ignition device for the traction engine 5 and engages the circuits of the motor vehicle's electrical system.

[0064] The motor vehicle is brought, by actuation of its driving wheels 4 by the traction engine 5, to an area where containers 9 to be emptied are located.

[0065] Once the motor vehicle has arrived at the area of the containers 9, the user, with the button 15 activated and the luminous indicator 17 on, places the gearbox 20 in neutral and, keeping the actuation pedal 25 of the service brake 18 pressed, pulls the command lever 23 of the handbrake, thus actuating the parking brake 13.

[0066] The first electronic controller 12b receives the signals coming from the first activation sensor 22, from the second activation sensor 24 and from the third activation sensor 26 and, as a result, activates the automatic "start/stop" device, so as to automatically turn off the traction engine 5.

[0067] At the same time, the first electronic controller 12a also sends a signal of assent to the second electronic controller 12b, which thus automatically enables the possibility to activate the electric actuation means 11 and, more specifically, the electric motor 28, so as to enable the user to activate the hydraulic unit 6 via the electric pump 6a in order to actuate the service apparatuses 7.

[0068] It should be noted that the first electronic controller 12a can enable the activation of the automatic "start/stop" device in order to automatically turn off the traction engine 5 only if it receives, in sequence, a signal that the gearbox is in neutral from the third activation sensor 26, a signal that the actuation pedal 25 of the service brake 18 is pressed in the active condition for locking from the second activation sensor 24 and, lastly, a signal that the handbrake is engaged from the first activation sensor 22.

[0069] It should be noted that when the traction engine 5 is turned off by the automatic "start/stop" device, the ignition key remains in the "on" position, thus maintaining active the supply of electricity from the electrical system of the motor vehicle.

[0070] Once the use of the service apparatuses 7 has been concluded, the user, after climbing back into the driver's cab 2a, must ensure that the gearbox 20 is in neutral, press the actuation pedal 25 of the service brake 18 so as to bring it into the active condition for locking, and lower the command lever 23 of the handbrake until the parking brake 13 is disengaged, in order to have the actuation means 12 automatically turn on the traction engine 5 and automatically deactivate the electric actuation means 11.

[0071] In particular, when the first electronic controller 12a detects the signal that the gearbox is in neutral originating from the third activation sensor 26 and the signal that the actuation pedal 25 is pressed in the active condition for locking originating from the second activation sensor 24 and the signal that the handbrake is disengaged originating from the first activation sensor 22, the first electronic controller 12a commands the automatic "start/stop" device to turn on the traction engine 5 again and cancels the signal of assent to the second electronic controller 12a, which, as a result, disables the possibility to activate the electric actuation means 11 of the hydraulic unit 6.

[0072] In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and, in particular, attention is drawn to the fact that the motor vehicle according to the invention makes it possible to limit the use of the internal combustion traction engine, therefore reducing the emission of pollutant gases, the production of noise and the consumption of fuel.

[0073] It should be noted that the motor vehicle according to the invention allows the operators to work in the utmost safety, because it allows the actuation of the hydraulic unit via the electric actuation means only when the means for safe locking of the mobile structure are activated.

[0074] All the characteristics of the invention, indicated above as advantageous, advisable or similar, may also be missing or be substituted by equivalent characteristics.

[0075] The individual characteristics set out in reference to general teachings or to specific embodiments may all be present in other embodiments or may substitute characteristics in such embodiments.

[0076] The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0077] In practice the materials used, provided they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the dimensions and the shapes, may be any, according to requirements.

[0078] Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0079] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. VR2010A000075 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0080] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle for collecting and transporting waste in an urban environment, comprising a mobile structure (2) that supports a vat (3) for containing waste and is provided with driving wheels (4) that can be actuated by an internal-combustion traction engine (5) and a hydraulic unit (6) for the actuation of at least one service apparatus (7) associated with said mobile structure (2), characterized in that it comprises electric means (11) for the actuation of said hydraulic unit (6) and actuation means (12) that are adapted to automatically turn off said traction engine (5) and to automatically enable the possibility to activate said electric actuation means (11) as a consequence of the activation of means for safe locking of said mobile structure (2).

2. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that said actuation means (12) are adapted to automatically intervene in order to actuate the power-on of said traction engine (5) and to disable the possibility of activation of said electric actuation means (11) as a consequence of the deactivation of said means for safe locking of said mobile structure (2).

3. The motor vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means for safe locking of said mobile structure (2) comprise a parking brake (13) associated with said mobile structure (2).

4. The motor vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuation means (12) are controlled by means for activation or deactivation (14) that can be operated by the user.

5. The motor vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (16) for signaling the activation or deactivation status of said actuation means (12).

6. The motor vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said mobile structure (2) defines, in front of said containment vat (3), a cab (2a), said activation or deactivation means (14) comprising a manually-operated button (15) located in said cab (2a).

7. The motor vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said signaling means (16) comprise a luminous indicator (17), which is placed within said cab (2a).

8. The motor vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuation means (12) are functionally connected to a service brake (18) of said mobile structure (2), which is located in said cab (2a) and can be operated by the user between an active condition for locking said mobile structure (2) and an inactive condition for releasing said mobile structure (2), said actuation means (12) being adapted to automatically actuate the power-off of said traction engine (5) and to enable the possibility of activation of said electric actuation means (11) as a consequence of the activation of said parking brake (13), and to automatically actuate the power-on of said traction engine (5) and disable the possibility of activation of said electric actuation means (11) as a consequence of the deactivation of said parking brake (13), after positioning said service brake (13) in said active locking condition.

9. The motor vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said driving wheels (4) are connected to said traction engine (5) thanks to the interposition of a motion transmission unit (19), which is provided with a gearbox (20) that can be placed in neutral, said actuation means (12) being connected functionally to said gearbox (20) and being adapted to automatically actuate the power-off of said traction engine (5) and enable the possibility of activation of said electric actuation means (11), as a consequence of the activation of said parking brake (13), and to automatically actuate the power-on of said traction engine (5) and disable the possibility of deactivation of said electric actuation means (11), as a consequence of the deactivation of said parking brake (13), after placing said gearbox (20) in neutral.

10. The motor vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuation means (12) comprise a first electronic controller (12a), which is functionally connected in input to said parking brake (13), to said service brake (18), to said gearbox (20) and to said activation or deactivation means (14) and, in output, to said traction engine (5).

11. The motor vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuation means (12) comprise a second electronic controller (12b), which is functionally interconnected to said first electronic controller (12a) and is functionally connected to said electric actuation means (11).

12. The motor vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electric actuation means (11) comprise at least one electric motor (28), which is connected to electric power supply means.

13. The motor vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hydraulic assembly (6) comprises a hydraulic pump controlled by said electric motor (28).

14. The motor vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a first activation sensor (22), which is associated with said parking brake (13), for detecting the activation or deactivation status of said parking brake (13), a second activation sensor (24), which is associated with said service break (18), to detect the activation or deactivation status of said service brake (18), and a third activation sensor (26), which is associated with said gearbox (20), to verify the neutral setting of said gearbox (20), said first activation sensor (22), said second activation sensor (24) and said third activation sensor (26) being functionally connected in input to said first electronic controller (12a).

Drawing