APPARATUS FOR GRIPPING AND EMPTYING BINS ON A MOTOR VEHICLE FOR WASTE COLLECTION, AND MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

 A kinematic assembly (20) is constrained to a support group (10) fixed to the side wall (3) of the motor vehicle (2), said kinematic assembly supports the guiding frame (7), along which a carriage (13) slides and supports the lifting arms (14) operatively engageable with a bin (15). The kinematic assembly (20) includes first levers (22) rotatably constrained to the guiding frame (7) and the support group (10), and second levers (26) having respective proximal ends (22a) slidably guided on the support group (10). Said first and second levers (22, 26) are mutually hinged at an intermediate point of their longitudinal development. Push rods (30) link each second lever (26) with the guiding frame (7). Control actuators (33) act on the kinematic assembly (20) to move the guiding frame (7) between an approached position and a position of maximum distance with respect to said side wall (3).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for gripping and emptying bins on a motor vehicle for waste collection.

[0002] Object of the invention is also a motor vehicle for waste collection, equipped with said apparatus.

[0003] More specifically, the apparatus in question is of the type that is usually mounted on the side of a motor vehicle in order to carry out, in a fully automated way, the emptying cycle of bins use for waste collection.

[0004] As it is known, one of the widely used methods to collect waste in urban areas envisages that waste is thrown in appropriate bins suitably distributed along the pavements or on the sides of the roads. Bins are regularly emptied by suitably equipped motor vehicles, which transport waste to the waste disposal facilities or the facilities intended for the recovery of waste.

[0005] Such motor vehicles are normally equipped with adequate equipment to grip the bins and hoist it above a loading hopper and then to tilt the bins to empty them into the motor vehicle. After the bins have been completely emptied, the equipment also repositions the bins on the ground.

[0006] A well-known type of equipment, described for example in EP 1454848, comprises a pair of lifting arms pivotally carried by a carriage movable along an extensible guiding frame. The guiding frame is made of a first framework whose upper end is horizontally hinged near the access threshold of the hopper and a second framework that longitudinally slides with respect to the first framework. In a rest condition, the structure of the guiding frame is longitudinally retracted and vertically positioned against the side wall of the hopper, with its lifting arms extending vertically downward with respect to the carriage, positioned at approximately half the way of the development of the frame.

[0007] The operating cycle envisages that the gripping arms are angularly rotated to be positioned according to a horizontal orientation and, thanks to the extension of the extensible structure and the sliding of the carraige along the second portion of the structure itself, lowered to the level of the bin to grip the same by the corresponding gripping elements. An actuator operating on the first framework of the extensible guiding frame lends itself to be activated to tilt the latter with respect to the side wall of the vehicle in order to reach the bin, placed at a certain distance from the vehicle itself. This distance varies from time to time depending on the position where the vehicle stops.

[0008] After gripping the bin, the extensible guiding frame is contracted by retracting the first framework in the second framework, and the carriage moves the gripping arms back in an elevated position up to the upper end of the guiding frame. A rotation of the gripping arms around their horizontal hinging axis causes the bin to tilt and empty into the hopper.

[0009] With a reverse operating cycle, compared to what has been described, the bin is repositioned on the ground, and the equipment is again in a rest condition.

[0010] Document EP 1389591 proposes a piece of equipment that is conceptually similar to the one that has been previously described in which, unlike the latter, the overturning of the bin is performed thanks to the tilting of the extensible guiding frame around its hinging axis near the access threshold of the hopper. A pair of fluid dynamic actuators that can be simultaneously activated work between the side wall of the motor vehicle and the guiding frame to tilt it in order to reach the bin by means of the gripping arms. The bin that has been engaged by the gripping arms is lifted as a result of the contraction of the extensible guiding frame and the translation of the carriage towards the top of the same.

[0011] When the bin goes beyond the access threshold of the hopper, a new operation of the aforesaid fluid dynamic actuators is triggered to cause the bin to be overturned as a result of the tilting action of the extensible guiding frame around its own hinging axis.

[0012] The document EP 2530033 describes an apparatus comprising an extensible structure hinged near the access threshold of the loading hopper of a motor vehicle, and rotatably supporting a pair of lifting arms that can be operatively engaged to a bin. An auxiliary structure that is rotatably constrained by the access threshold, operates on the extensible structure to rotate the latter from an approached position with respect to a side wall of the hopper to a gripping position in which the lifting arms are moved away from the side wall. Tilting actuators operate between the auxiliary structure and the extensible structure to rotate the latter between a rest position, in which it develops downward with respect to the access threshold, and an overturning position, in which it is raised with respect to the access threshold itself.

[0013] The document EP1142803 proposes a system in which the upper part of the guiding frame is constrained with respect to the side wall of the motor vehicle by means of an articulated parallelogram system made of an oscillating bulkhead positioned at the top of the frame, and a pair of articulated rods that are positioned slightly lower with respect to the oscillating bulkhead. The extraction and return movement of the guiding frame is controlled by a hydraulic actuator, articulated to the framework of the vehicle and which operates at an intermediate point along the height of the guiding frame.

[0014] The main object of the present invention is essentially to propose a new arrangement and cooperation of the parts constituting the equipment, thanks to which a structural simplification can be achieved, as well as a reduction in weight and size, in favour of the increase of the load capacity of the hopper and/or of the storage truck body associated to the same.

[0015] A further object of the invention is to propose a piece of equipment able to operate without causing the bin to move in such a way as to require an excessive free space in the areas surrounding it, during the performing of the gripping, emptying and repositioning cycle.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to allow a better distribution of the material emptied into the hopper, so as to facilitate a better exploitation of the load capacity of the waste collection truck body.

[0017] A further object of the invention is to propose a piece of equipment which has a large range of action, so as to allow the gripping of the bin, even at a relatively long distance from the side wall of the vehicle.

[0018] Also desired is the improvement the known equipment, so as to allow to reduce the time required for the completion of the gripping, emptying and repositioning cycle of the bin, by guaranteeing, at the same time, that the bin is precisely repositioned in the exact position from which it was hoisted to be emptied.

[0019] These objects and many more, which will be better seen in this description, are substantially achieved by means of an apparatus for gripping and emptying bins on a motor vehicle for waste collection, according to claim 1.

[0020] In line with a further aspect, an object of the invention is a motor vehicle for waste collection according to claim 11.

[0021] In at least one of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention also comprises one or more of the following preferred features.

[0022] Preferably, the kinematic assembly comprises two control levers, each acting on one of the respectively opposite sides of the guiding frame. Preferably, each of said control levers comprises a respective first lever, second lever and push rod.

[0023] Preferably, said first lever has a proximal end rotatably constrained to the support group.

[0024] Preferably, the first lever is engaged with the support group in a fixed constraint point.

[0025] Preferably, said first lever has a distal end rotatably constrained to the guiding frame.

[0026] Preferably, the proximal end of the second lever is slidably guided towards and away with respect to a constraint point of the first lever on the support group.

[0027] Preferably, said second lever has a distal end rotatably constrained to the push rod.

[0028] Preferably, the intervening distance between the proximal and distal ends of the first lever is equal to the distance between the proximal and distal ends of the second lever.

[0029] Preferably, the second lever rotatably carries at least one roller slidable along a sliding guide carried by the support group.

[0030] Preferably, each of the rollers respectively associated to each of the control levers is engaged one to one of the opposite ends of an interconnection bar that extends through the proximal end of each one of the second levers.

[0031] Preferably, said control actuator has a first end hinged to the support group.

[0032] Preferably, the first end of the control actuator is constrained to the support group close to a constraint point of said first lever.

[0033] Preferably, said control actuator has a second end hinged to the guiding frame.

[0034] Preferably, in the approached position, said first lever, second lever and push rod have a substantially parallel orientation relative to a laying plane of said guiding frame.

[0035] Preferably, the push rod has its own distal end rotatably constrained to the guiding frame.

[0036] Preferably, the push rod has its own proximal end rotatably constrained to the distal end of the second lever.

[0037] Preferably, the push rod is hinged to the second lever at a point arranged below with respect to a mutual hinging axis between said first and second levers.

[0038] Preferably, the push rod is constrained to the guiding frame according to a hinging axis arranged above with respect to a hinging axis between the push rod and the second lever.

[0039] Preferably, said kinematic assembly, while moving between the approached position and the maximum distancing position, moves away an upper end of the guiding frame from the side wall according to a lower measure compared to a distancing movement imposed to a lower end of the guiding frame.

[0040] Preferably, said support group is fixed to the side wall of the vehicle.

[0041] Preferably, the support group is fixed in correspondence of a loading hopper having an access threshold positioned in the vicinity of an upper end of the guiding frame.

[0042] Further features and advantages will become more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred but not limiting embodiment of an apparatus for gripping and emptying bins on a motor vehicle for waste collection according to the present invention.

[0043] Such description will be set forth hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, given only for illustrative purposes and not by way of limitation, in which:

• Figure 1 shows a front view of an apparatus according to the present invention, arranged in a rest condition on the side wall of a motor vehicle used for waste collection;
• Figure 2 shows the apparatus of figure 1 in a side view, operating on a waste collection bin in an approached position to the side wall of the motor vehicle;
• Figure 3 shows the apparatus of Figure 1 in a side view, operating on a waste collection bin in a position of maximum distancing from the side wall of the motor vehicle;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus in a position moved away from the side wall of the motor vehicle.

[0044] With reference to said figures, 1 generally indicates an apparatus for gripping and emptying bins on a motor vehicle for waste collection according to the present invention.

[0045] The apparatus 1 can be installed on a motor vehicle 2 used for the collection of waste, for example, along the side wall 3 of the vehicle, by a loading hopper 4 operably inserted between the driver's cab 5 and a truck body 6 for the transportation and/or compaction of waste.

[0046] According to a known method, a pressing unit (not shown) operating on the bottom of the loading hopper 4 transfers the waste emptied into the hopper into the truck body 6 by means of the apparatus 1.

[0047] The apparatus 1 comprises a guiding frame 7, comprising for example a pair of guiding uprights 8 mutually parallel and interconnected by their corresponding crosspieces 9.

[0048] The guiding frame 7 is engaged to a support group 10 that can be fixed to the side wall 3 of the motor vehicle 2 by the loading hopper 4. In the illustrated example, the support group 10 is made of a fixed frame having two vertical fixed uprights 11, integral with a pair of longitudinal members 12, respectively an upper and a lower one, fixed along the side wall 3. Between the guiding uprights 8, a carriage 13 is slidably engaged and it rotatably supports - on respectively opposite sides of the guiding frame 7 - a pair of respectively parallel lifting arms 14, operatively engageable with a waste bin 15 that must be emptied inside the loading hopper 4.

[0049] In particular, by means of one or more suitable actuators 16 associated with the carriage 13 and not described in detail since they can be built according to a manner known per se, the lifting arms 14 are preferably movable towards and away from each other, and can also be simultaneously rotated around a horizontal axis to engage respective gripping elements 17 in the form of pins, protruding from respectively opposite side walls of the bin 15, and possibly cause the detachment of the bin from the ground.

[0050] A lifting actuator 18, which is also not described in detail since it can be realized according to a known manner, operates on the carriage 13 to control its movement along the guiding frame 7, so as to hoist the bin 15 up to the upper end 7a of the frame, positioned by the access threshold 19 of the loading hopper 4.

[0051] Once arrived near the upper end 7a of the guiding frame 7, the bin 15 is overturned by a further rotation of the lifting arms 14, to determine the emptying of waste into the loading hopper 4.

[0052] Appropriate mechanisms that are known per se and therefore are not described in detail, may be associated to the lifting arms 14 in order to determine the opening of the lid of the bin 15, upon overturning the bin itself. Upon finishing the emptying cycle, the bin 15 is repositioned on the ground thanks to a reverse movement cycle compared to the one that was previously described.

[0053] The guiding frame 7 is constrained to the support group 10 by means of a kinematic assembly 20, which allows it to move between an approached position with respect to the side wall 3, shown in Figure 2, and a position of maximum distancing from the side wall 3 itself, shown in Figure 3.

[0054] In such a way, the bin 15 is effectively engaged, irrespective of, within certain limits, the distance between the latter and the side wall 3 of the motor vehicle 2.

[0055] The kinematic assembly 20 comprises two control levers, substantially identical to each other, each acting on one of the respectively opposite sides of the guiding frame 7. Homologous parts of the control levers can be interconnected by means of stiffening and synchronising transverse elements 21.

[0056] Each control lever comprises at least a first lever 22 rotatably constrained to the guiding frame 7 and to the support group 10 in fixed constraint points. More particularly, it is preferably envisaged that the first lever 22 has a proximal end 22a rotatably constrained to the support group 10 by means of a first pin 23, which is engaged at a first fixing bracket 11 a positioned at a lower end portion of the corresponding fixed upright 11. A distal end 22b of the first lever 22 is in turn rotatably constrained to the guiding frame 7, for example by means of a second pin 24 engaged preferably at a second fixing bracket 25 fixed on a side of the corresponding guiding upright 8 facing externally from the guiding frame 7. The first lever 22, which preferably extends upwardly from its proximal end 22a, is operatively constrained to at least a second lever 26. The first and the second levers 22, 26 extend according to respectively crossed orientations, and are mutually hinged by means of a third pin 27 positioned at an intermediate point of their longitudinal development.

[0057] The second lever 26 has a respective proximal end 26a slidably guided on the support group 10, towards and away with respect to the first pin 23, which defines the constraint point or axis between the first lever 22 and the support group 10. To this end, what is preferably envisaged is that the proximal end 26a of the second lever 26 rotatably supports at least one roller 28 slidably engaged along a sliding guide 29 supported by the corresponding fixed upright 11.

[0058] Preferably, the sliding guide 29 extends vertically on the side of the fixed upright 11 facing the inside of the support group 10.

[0059] The intervening distance between the proximal end 22a and the distal end 22b of the first lever 22 is preferably the same as the distance between the proximal end 26a and the distal end 26b of the second lever 26, so as to facilitate the compaction of the kinematic assembly 20 in the rest condition.

[0060] The kinematic assembly 20 comprises at least a push rod 30 constraining the second lever 26 with the guiding frame 7. More specifically, the push rod 30 has its own proximal end 30a rotatably constrained to the distal end 26b of the second lever 26 by means of a fourth pin 31. A distal end 30b of the push rod 30 is in turn rotatably constrained to the guiding frame 7 by means of a fifth pin 32 engaged on the corresponding guiding upright 8.

[0061] Preferably, the fourth pin 31, which defines the hinging point between the push rod 30 and the second lever 26, is arranged below compared to the third pin 27, which defines the mutual hinging axis between the first and the second lever 26.

[0062] The fifth pin 32, which in turn defines the hinging axis of the push rod 30 on the guiding frame 7, is preferably arranged above with respect to the fourth pin 31.

[0063] In other words, the push rod 30 preferably extends upwardly from its hinging point with the second lever 26.

[0064] At least one control actuator 33 operates on the kinematic assembly 20, and upon its action, the movement of the guiding frame 7 is determined between the approached position and the moved away position from the side wall 3 of the motor vehicle 2.

[0065] Preferably, two control actuators 33 are envisaged, for example of the hydraulic type, each acting on one of the levers 21, respectively associated to the opposite sides of the guiding frame 7. Each control actuator 33 has a first end 33a hinged to the support group 10, and a second end 33b hinged to the guiding frame 7, at the corresponding guiding upright 8. Preferably, the first end 33a, which defines the hinging point of the control actuator 33 to the support group 10 is positioned near the first pin 23 that defines the hinging point of the first lever 22 on the support group 10 itself. More specifically, what can be envisaged is that the first end 33a of the control actuator 33 is constrained to a sixth pin 34 engaged on the same first bracket 11 a supporting the first pin 23.

[0066] When the motor vehicle 2 runs, the control actuators 33 maintain the apparatus 1 in a rest condition with the guiding frame 7 in an approached position to the side wall 3. In such a situation, what is advantageously envisaged is that in each control lever 21, the first lever 22, the second lever 26 and the push rod 30 are substantially parallel to the guiding frame 7, while maintaining a substantially vertical and/or parallel orientation to the side wall 3 of the motor vehicle 2 as shown in Figure 2. Therefore, what is achieved is that the apparatus 1 takes up a minimal amount of space, and it is comprised within the footprint profile of the motor vehicle 2. If the motor vehicle 2 stops at a minimum distance from the bin 15 which needs to be emptied, the rotation of the lifting arms 14 can be directly activated from the rest condition, in which they are oriented downwards, in order to engage the bin 15 without the need to activate the control actuators 33. In this case, as shown in Figure 1, the entire emptying and repositioning cycle of the container 15 can be performed while maintaining the guiding frame 7 in the approached position.

[0067] However, if the motor vehicle 2 stops at a certain distance from the bin 15 which needs to emptied, it is possible, by activating the control actuators 33, to cause the guiding frame 7 to move away from the side wall 3 according to a suitable measure to bring the lifting arms 14 in engagement with respective gripping elements 17 of the bin 15. The guiding frame 7 can be stopped in any position between the approached position and the maximum distancing position, according to the distance between the side wall 3 of the motor vehicle 2 and the bin 15.

[0068] The constraints due to the kinematic assembly 20 shall ensure that, during the movement between the approached position and the maximum distancing position, the upper end 7a of the guiding frame 7 moves away from the side wall 3, at a relatively short distance, anyway shorter than the distance at which the lower end 7b of the guiding frame may be.

[0069] Consequently, the guiding frame 7 in its distancing position takes up an inclined orientation, so that its lower end 7b comes closer to the bin 15 that must be hoisted, while its upper end 7a only slightly moves with respect to the vertical plane containing the access threshold 19 of the loading hopper 4.

[0070] After engaging the bin 15 by means of the lifting arms 14, the emptying and repositioning cycle of the bin 15 can be advantageously performed by maintaining the guiding frame 7 still, in the position taken in order to engage the bin 15.

[0071] The stillness of the guiding frame 7 with respect to the side wall 3 of the motor vehicle 2, as long as the bin 15 is engaged by the lifting arms 14, helps to precisely relocate the bin 15 in the same position from which it was hoisted.

[0072] Furthermore, since the movement of the lifting arms 14 is carried out in an autonomous and independent way relative to the movement of the guiding frame 7, it is advantageously possible to carry out the entire emptying and repositioning cycle by keeping the bin 15 in a position that does not take up much space to move the bin 15 itself. Figures 2 and 3 show how the movement of the bin 15 can take place without interfering with any architectural structures 35, such as walls, fences, balconies or tree branches, that may be present close to the working area.

[0073] It should also be noted that the upper end 7a of the guiding frame 7 allows the same to take up a slightly different position upon each emptying cycle, according to the varying distance of the bin 15 that is each time engaged. This circumstance favours a more homogeneous waste distribution inside the loading hopper 4 and the truck body 6, so that the truck body 6 can be better filled up and the members of the pressing unit do wear out more homogeneously.

[0074] All components of the apparatus 1 according to the invention can also be installed at the side wall 3 of the vehicle, without taking up the space below the loading hopper 4 and/or the truk body 6, so as to allow a better exploitation of the inner space of the same.

Claims

1. Apparatus for gripping and emptying bins on a motor vehicle for waste collection, comprising:

a guiding frame (7);

a carriage (13) movable along the guiding frame (7) and carrying a pair of lifting arms (14) operatively engageable to respective grip elements (17) respectively carried by opposite side walls of a bin (15);

a support group (10) fixable to a side wall (3) of a motor vehicle (2);

a kinematic assembly (20) linking the guiding frame (7) with the support group (10);

at least one control actuator (33) acting on the kinematic assembly (20) to move the guiding frame (7) between a approached position with respect to said side wall (3) and a position of maximum distance from said side wall (3);

wherein said kinematic assembly (20) comprises:

at least a first lever (22) rotatably coupled with said guiding frame (7) and with the support group (10);

at least a second lever (26) having a respective proximal end (26a) slidably guided on the support group (10); and

at least a push rod (30) linking the second lever (26) with said guiding frame (7),

wherein said first and second lever (26) are mutually hinged in an intermediate point of their longitudinal development.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first lever (22) has a proximal end (22a) rotatably linked to the support group (10), preferably in a fixed linking point, and a distal end (22b) rotatably linked to the guiding frame (7).

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the proximal end (26a) of the second lever (26) is slidably guided towards and away with respect to a constraint point of the first lever (22) on the support group (10).

4. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said second lever (26) further has a distal end (26b) rotatably linked to the push rod (30).

5. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the second lever (26) rotatably carries at least one roller (28) slidable along a sliding guide (29) carried by the bearing assembly (10).

6. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said control actuator (33) has a first end (33a) hinged to the bearing assembly (10), preferably close to a constraint point of said first lever (22), and a second end (33b) hinged to the guiding frame (7).

7. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein in the approached position said first lever (22), second lever (26) and push rod (30) are substantially parallel to a laying plane of said guiding frame (7).

8. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the push rod (30) has an its own distal end (30b) rotatably linked to the guiding frame (7), and a respective proximal end (30a) rotatably linked to a distal end (26b) of the second lever (26).

9. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the push rod (30) is hinged to the second lever (26) at a point arranged below with respect to a mutual hinging axis between said first and second lever (26).

10. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the push rod (30) is constrained to the guiding frame (7) according to a hinging axis arranged above with respect to a hinging axis between the push rod (30) and the second lever (26).

11. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said kinematic assembly (20), while moving between the approached position and the position of maximum distance, moves away an upper end (7a) of the guiding frame (7) from the side wall (3) according to a measure lower than a lower end (7b) of the guiding frame (7) moves away from the side wall (3)

12. A motor vehicle for waste collection, comprising an apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims.

13. The motor vehicle according to the preceding claim, wherein said supporting group (10) is fixed to a side wall (3) of the motor vehicle itself.

14. The motor vehicle according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the bearing assembly (10) is fixed in correspondence of a loading hopper (4) having an access threshold (19) positioned in the vicinity of an upper end (7a) of the guiding frame (7).

Drawing