EP4215459A1 - Device for emptying waste receptacles - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for emptying refuse containers, which can be arranged at the dumping opening of a refuse collection container, with a lifting truck (1), having a receiving device (2) for receiving a refuse container, a shaft (6) which is mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation D, with a traction means (7) and a drive (8) for the traction means (7) arranged above the dumping opening, in order to drive the lifting truck (1) to a lifting movement and/or a rotary movement, with a lever on the lifting truck (1). (9) is arranged, on which the traction means (7) engages. The invention thus makes it possible to empty refuse containers in an energy-efficient and lightweight manner.

Description

The invention relates to a device for emptying refuse containers, which can be arranged at the dumping opening of a refuse collection container, with a lift truck, having a receiving device for receiving a refuse container, a shaft which is mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation, with a traction means and a drive for the traction means arranged above the dumping opening, in order to drive the lift truck to perform a lifting movement and/or a rotary movement.

Garbage containers are emptied into garbage collection containers with the help of lifting and tipping devices, which are designed, for example, as superstructures of garbage collection vehicles. The waste container is lifted off the ground in a lifting movement and tilted in a rotating movement. A shaft is driven, which sets a lifting truck, which picks up and holds the garbage container, into a rotational movement.

From the WO 2004 083 077 A1 discloses a device for emptying refuse containers with a drive which is arranged above the pouring-in opening of a refuse collection container and drives a traction means which causes a lift truck for a refuse container to perform a lifting movement. The upward movement of the lift truck is blocked at a specified height. Because the traction mechanism continues to exert a tensile force on the truck, the truck is tilted and rotated. The traction mechanism acts on the lift truck in the vicinity of the axis of rotation, around which the rotary movement takes place. This arrangement has the disadvantage that a great deal of force has to be applied for the torque required for the rotational movement.

It is the object of the invention to eliminate this disadvantage of the prior art and to propose an energy-efficient and lightweight device.

This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1, special developments of the invention are the subject of dependent claims 2 to 21.

The invention relates to a device for emptying refuse containers, which can be arranged at the pouring opening of a refuse collection container, with a lift truck, having a receiving device for receiving a garbage container, a shaft, which is mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation, with a traction mechanism and a drive for the traction mechanism, which is arranged above the pouring-in opening, in order to drive the lifting carriage to perform a lifting movement and/or a rotary movement, a lever being arranged on the lifting carriage, on which the traction mechanism acts.

The device is preferably arranged on a refuse collection container which is provided as a structure on a refuse collection vehicle.

During the emptying process, a refuse container is placed on the truck. For this purpose, recording devices are provided, for example a comb strip. The receiving device can preferably be locked with a clamping bar in order to keep the refuse container captive in the receiving device.

The traction mechanism acts on a lever that is arranged on the truck. The traction mechanism is connected in an articulated or rotatable manner, so that when the rotary movement begins, the point of application also rotates. The lever protrudes from the truck, pointing away from the refuse collection container, thereby enabling a point of application for the traction means which is spaced from the axis of rotation of the shaft both in the vertical and in the horizontal direction. The lever arm for the later rotary movement is thus increased and less force is required on the traction means in order to carry out the emptying process within a predetermined time interval. This means that the drive for the traction device as well as the entire construction can be designed for a correspondingly lower power requirement. This results in less weight and less energy required by the drive itself, as well as for a refuse truck on which the device can be provided. The length of the lever depends on the structural constraints, such as the size of the waste container for which the device is designed and the associated maximum filling weight. The length of the lever is also limited by the dimensions of a safety or work area, for example for the refuse collectors in the vicinity of the refuse collection container. Also, the traction means should not be deflected too far from the vertical in order to ensure optimal power transmission.

If several lift trucks are provided, which are used individually or together to empty a refuse container, each of these lift trucks can be equipped with its own drive.

Each lift truck can have one, two or more levers, each of which is acted upon by a traction mechanism.

The refuse container is usually first lifted off the ground in a lifting movement before it is tilted in a rotary movement and thereby emptied into the refuse collection container. With a low loading sill, the lifting movement can be very small or completely absent.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that the lever is arranged at a vertical distance from the axis of rotation, in particular at a vertical distance between 100 and 650 millimeters, preferably between 200 and 500 millimeters, particularly preferably between 250 and 350 millimeters from the axis of rotation. Within the scope of the invention, “vertical” is understood in relation to a standing surface of the refuse collection container or of a refuse collection vehicle receiving it.

In particular, the lever is arranged below the axis of rotation in this reference system so that the rotary movement can be carried out under the action of the tensile force. The axis of rotation, or the shaft about which the rotary movement is performed, is attached to the lift truck in such a way that it is located near the upper section of a refuse container arranged on the lift truck, mostly in the area of the receiving device.

The lever arm is further increased by the vertical spacing of the lever from the axis of rotation. The distance in turn depends on design specifications, such as the length of the lift truck. Basically, the distance should be large so that the largest possible lever arm for the rotary movement is achieved. However, it must be ensured that the deflection of the traction mechanism from the vertical during the emptying process does not become too great in order to enable optimal power transmission. The type of waste container for which the device is designed also plays a role.

It is also possible to vary the vertical distance of the lever and adjust its position to the expected waste fraction and quantity and/or the type of bin.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the traction mechanism is driven by an electric motor or hydrostatically. By using an electric motor, the drive can be installed in a space-saving and low-maintenance manner above the Pouring opening are arranged. Electric motors are easy to control and operate. In the case of electrically driven vehicles in particular, the electrical energy can be used directly from the same source to operate the device according to the invention. A hydraulic motor or a hydraulic drive cylinder enable a high power density and a simple and space-saving design.

Furthermore, it is advantageously provided that the traction mechanism is a cable or a chain. This enables a space-saving configuration, since ropes or chains or similar means can simply be guided over rollers or pipes or wound onto a reel.

In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one deflection element is provided for the traction means and/or an intermediate transmission is provided between the drive and at least one deflection element. This makes it possible for the torque generated by the drive to act on the lift truck in an optimal manner. The tensile force acting on the lever and thus on the lifting truck should act essentially in a vertical upward direction. This is accomplished by suitable deflection elements, such as rollers or guides. An intermediate translation makes it possible to take structural and design-related boundary conditions into account.

These means are particularly useful when the traction means is designed as a cable or chain and/or when an electric motor drive is used. However, you are not limited to these configurations.

In a further development of the invention, the traction mechanism is guided in such a way that the traction force acts essentially in the vertical direction at the point of application when the rotational movement begins. At the beginning of the emptying process, the lift truck only moves in one lifting movement. In this case, the specific point of action of the traction mechanism on the lever is less relevant. The lever arm and direction of force only play an important role during the rotary movement. In order to be able to generate the greatest possible torque for the rotary movement, the force must point upwards as vertically as possible when the rotary movement begins, since its vertical component is decisive.

The distance between the point of application and the axis of rotation is advantageously variable. In particular, the distance between the point of application and the axis of rotation preferably increases during the rotary movement. The increase in the distance means an increase in the lever arm of the rotary movement and thus an increase of the torque or a lower power requirement with the same torque.

In a special embodiment of the invention, the lever is rotatably arranged on the truck. This means that during the rotary movement of the lift truck, it folds away from its original position in the direction of the lift truck from the axis of rotation. This increases the distance between the point of application and the axis of rotation and thus the lever arm.

In order to prevent flapping in the opposite direction, for example during the lifting movement, it is advantageously provided that the rotary movement of the lever towards the axis of rotation is limited by a stop.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the point of application can be moved along the lever. This means that the traction means is not fixed at one point on the lever, but can move away from or towards the truck depending on the course of the emptying process. This is accompanied by an increase or decrease in the lever arm. The traction means can be connected, for example, to a sliding element that can be moved in a rail arranged on the lever.

In a further embodiment it is provided that the lever consists of articulated partial elements. There can be two partial elements, one of which is rigidly arranged on the truck and the second partial element is folded up or down at the beginning of the emptying process. The point of application of the traction means is located on the second partial element. During the lifting and/or rotating movement, the second sub-element folds out so that the distance between the point of application and the axis of rotation is increased, as a result of which the lever arm is also increased. If more than two partial elements are provided, they can be folded like an accordion at the beginning of the emptying process, for example.

The aforementioned configurations, which allow a variable distance between the point of application and the axis of rotation, can also be combined with one another.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that the lever is curved. The stability of the lever can generally be improved by the curvature, which contributes to a weight-saving configuration of the lever. Equally offers the curvature, for example with different radii merging into one another, in conjunction with the above embodiments further scope for variability of the length of the lever arm during the emptying process.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a linear guide is provided which is set up to guide a lifting movement of the lift truck at least in sections, and/or a rotary guide is provided which is set up to guide a rotary movement of the lift truck. During an emptying process, a refuse container is first lifted and then tilted in order to empty the contents of the container. Thereafter, the waste container is pivoted back and lowered back to the ground. This sequence is constantly repeated and it is necessary that it always runs in the same way without any problems so that the drive torque is always optimally transmitted. This is supported by guide elements.

A linear guide for the lifting movement ensures that the rotary movement does not occur prematurely or that there is a pendulum movement of the lift truck that impairs the emptying process. The rotary movement of the lift truck causes the waste container to tip over and thus empty it. The pivoting motion should not occur too early or too late to allow for proper emptying and tipping of the refuse container back to an upright position. This is made possible by a rotary guide. The garbage container clamped in the receptacle is also spared, since it can only move in the direction of the clamping force and not transversely to it.

In a preferred embodiment, guide rods and at least one carriage that slides thereon and is arranged on the lifting carriage are provided as the linear guide. A linear guide designed in this way is structurally simple to manufacture and independent of the specific position and configuration of the lever.

In a further embodiment, at least one rail or cam is provided as a linear guide, in or on which the lever is guided. This configuration enables the lever to be guided and/or supported directly. It also allows the lever to be guided during rotation, giving the device greater stability during movement.

In a further development of the invention, at least one rail or control cam is provided as a rotational guide, in or on which the lever is guided, and the one Has curvature with a radius that corresponds to the distance of the lever to an axis of rotation of the truck. In this embodiment, the rotary movement can be initiated directly by guiding the lever. The rotation of the lift truck is initially prevented by the rail or cam and then made possible by appropriate guidance of the lever. A varying distance between the point of application and the axis of rotation can also be taken into account by providing a correspondingly varying radius of curvature. The lever can, for example, have a sliding element that slides in the rail, or a roller that rolls on the cam.

In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one rail or control cam is provided as a rotational guide, in or on which the axis of rotation of the lifting truck is guided and which has a curvature so that the lifting truck is set in rotary motion when passing through the rail or the control cam. In this way, the rotary movement is initiated at the scheduled time and the emptying process is carried out precisely. For example, a sliding element arranged at the end of the shaft or a roller can slide in the rail or roll along the cam.

In an advantageous development, the rotary movement of the truck can be controlled by a blocking device. It is important that the rotary movement of the lift truck and thus the tipping of the waste container takes place at the predetermined time so that the waste is poured into the pouring opening of the waste collection container and does not fall away. Therefore, a rotational movement should be prevented during the lifting movement. This is made possible by a blocking device that can be designed hydraulically, mechanically or electrically. This can be, for example, a mechanically or electrically operated clamping device or a hydraulic braking device that prevents the shaft from rotating about the axis of rotation until the specified height or a specified point in time is reached. Then the blocking device is released and due to the now acting torque due to the tensile force of the traction mechanism on the lever, the truck can rotate about the shaft.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the distance between the axis of rotation and the point of application is essentially the same as the distance between the axis of rotation and the center of the volume of an extreme container, with the Distance ratio is the ratio between a vertical distance and a horizontal distance to the axis of rotation. "Vertical" and "horizontal" also refer here to a standing area of the refuse collection container or of a refuse collection vehicle receiving it.

When designing the device according to the invention, its maximum load is taken as a basis. This is the case with a completely and homogeneously filled garbage container with the largest possible volume provided for the respective device. Within the scope of the invention, this is to be understood as an extreme container. The center of gravity of a completely and homogeneously filled garbage container is essentially in the center of its volume. A constant pulling force on the pulling means must also be guaranteed for this extreme container in order to be able to operate the drive at the optimum operating point. By selecting the distance ratio from the axis of rotation to the point of application equal to the distance ratio from the axis of rotation to the center of the volume of the extreme container, a constant tensile force on the traction means is ensured. For smaller and therefore lighter containers or containers that are not completely filled, a constant tensile force is thus fulfilled all the more.

A distance ratio between the axis of rotation and the point of application that is greater than 1, preferably greater than 1.1, particularly preferably greater than 1.2, has proven to be advantageous.

It is also advantageous if the lever is arranged on the lift truck in such a way that a point of application of the traction mechanism on the lever is arranged at or above the volume center point of a refuse container.

Figur 1a bis 1d

eine erste Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Figur 2a bis 2d

eine zweite Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Figur 3

einen Hubwagen gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform.

Further features of the invention result from the following drawings. Show it:

Figure 1a to 1d

a first embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2a to 2d

a second embodiment of the invention,

figure 3

a lift truck according to the first embodiment.

In 1 a first embodiment of the invention is shown at different points in time of an emptying process. The device for emptying garbage cans can be arranged at the dumping opening of a garbage collection container, which is not shown in detail. It has a lift truck 1, having a receiving device 2 in the form of a comb receptacle with a clamping rail 3 for receiving a garbage container (also not shown). The clamping rail 3 can be rotated about a clamping axis 4 in order to fix the refuse container on the receiving device 2 so that it cannot be lost. At its lower end, the lift truck 1 has a support 5 that supports the refuse container. A shaft 6 is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation D, with a traction device 7 and a drive 8 for the traction device 7, which is arranged above the dumping opening, in order to drive the lifting truck 1 in a lifting movement and a rotary movement, with a lever 9 being arranged on the lifting truck 1, on which the traction device 7 acts. The traction means 7 is a rope or a chain, which has a motor-driven reel as the drive 8 .

The lever 9 is spaced at a vertical distance V (see also 3 ) Arranged from the axis of rotation D on the truck 1 and has a point of application 10 on which the traction means 7 engages. Fig. 1a shows the time at the beginning of an emptying process. In Fig. 1b the truck 1 is in the lifting movement. The lifting movement is guided by a linear guide, which is formed from guide rods 11 and a carriage 12 attached to the lifting carriage 1 . There is also a blocking device that prevents the rotary movement of the lift truck 1 about the axis of rotation D. Only when a specified height has been reached is the blocking device released and the rotary movement begins ( Figure 1c ). Here, the truck 1 swings out, which increases the lever arm for the rotary movement. Only the horizontal distance H between the axis of rotation D and the point of application 10 is relevant for the rotary movement. This horizontal distance H, which is 3 is made clear is increased by the pivoting of the truck 1. At the same time, the tensile force at the point of application 10 remains almost constant, since the distance between the drive 8 and the truck 1 is much greater in reality than in this illustration, which is not to scale. The deflection of the traction means 7 from the vertical turns out to be much smaller. Consequently, as the lever arm increases, so does the torque, which speeds up the tipping process for the refuse container. At the same time, less effort has to be taken into account than with a drive that is applied directly on or close to the shaft. The invention cleverly exploits the lever ratios of the device. The container is finally in a tilted position and is emptied ( Fig. 1d ). Thereafter, the garbage container is tilted back into an upright position and placed on the ground.

The Figures 2a to 2d show the timing of an emptying process for a second embodiment of the invention. The same features of the device are denoted by the same reference numbers. This embodiment has two differences from the first embodiment. On the one hand, the lever 3 is articulated on the truck 1 . A stop 13 ensures that the lever 3 does not fold over towards the axis of rotation D as soon as the traction means 7 exerts a force on the lever 3 at the point of application 10 . On the other hand, the axis of rotation D or the shaft 6 is guided in a rail or on a cam (not shown in detail) and thus executes a curved path that enables the rotary movement of the truck 1 about the axis of rotation D. At the same time, the point of attack 10 is only guided linearly upwards. This can also be done in a rail, for example.

The articulated connection of the lever 3 to the truck 1 allows the distance between the axis of rotation D and the point of application 10 to be increased, but without the traction means being deflected from the vertical. When the rotary movement starts, the lever 3 folds down away from the rotary axis D. As a result, the horizontal distance H between the point of application 10 and the axis of rotation D and thus the lever arm for the rotary movement is increased.

Due to the linear guidance of the lever 3 or the point of application 10, the truck 1 does not swing out. As a result, the traction means 7 remains essentially in a vertical orientation during the entire emptying cycle, so that an optimal power transmission is provided.

After emptying the bin, the process is reversed, the bin tipped back to an upright position and placed on the ground.

It was explained above that certain distance ratios from the axis of rotation D to the point of application 10 are advantageous. The ratio of a vertical distance V to a horizontal distance H is referred to as the distance ratio. In 3 these sizes are made clear again. The lever 3 is also arranged at a vertical distance V from the axis of rotation D. Depending on the design of the lever, the vertical distance V of the point of application 10 to the axis of rotation D may not be identical to a vertical distance V of the point at which the lever 3 is arranged on the truck 1 to the axis of rotation.

Reference sign

1

pallet truck

2

recording device

3

clamping rail

4

clamping axle

5

edition

6

Wave

7

traction means

8th

drive

9

lever

10

attackpoint

11

guide rod

12

Sleds

13

attack

D

axis of rotation

H

horizontal distance

V

vertical distance

Claims (18)

Device for emptying refuse containers, which can be arranged at the dumping opening of a refuse collection container, with a lifting truck (1), having a receiving device (2) for receiving a refuse container, a shaft (6) which is mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation D, with a traction means (7) and a drive (8) for the traction means (7) arranged above the dumping opening, in order to drive the lifting truck (1) into a lifting movement and/or a rotary movement,
characterized in that
a lever (9) is arranged on the lift truck (1), on which the traction mechanism (7) acts. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the lever (9) is arranged at a vertical distance V from the axis of rotation D, in particular at a vertical distance V between 100 and 650 millimeters, preferably between 200 and 500 millimeters, particularly preferably between 250 and 350 millimeters from the axis of rotation D. Device according to at least one of Claims 1 or 2 , characterized in that the pulling means (7) is guided in such a way that the pulling force at the point of application (10) acts essentially in the vertical direction when the rotary movement begins. Device according to at least one of Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the distance between the point of application (10) and the axis of rotation D is variable. Device according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the lever (9) is arranged on the lifting carriage (1) so that it can rotate. Device according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the rotary movement of the lever (9) towards the axis of rotation D is limited by a stop. Device according to at least one of Claims 4 to 6 , characterized in that the point of application (10) can be moved along the lever (9). Device according to at least one of Claims 5 to 7 , characterized in that the lever (9) consists of articulated partial elements. Device according to at least one of Claims 1 to 8 , characterized in that the lever (9) is curved. Device according to at least one of Claims 1 to 9 , characterized in that a linear guide is provided which is set up to guide a lifting movement of the lift truck (1) at least in sections, and/or a rotary guide is provided which is set up to guide a rotary movement of the lift truck (1). Device according to Claim 10 , characterized in that guide rods (11) and at least one carriage (12) which slides thereon and is arranged on the lifting carriage (1) are provided as the linear guide. Device according to Claim 10 , characterized in that at least one rail or cam is provided as the linear guide, in or on which the lever (9) is guided. Device according to at least one of claims 10 to 12 , characterized in that at least one rail or cam is provided as a rotational guide, in or on which the lever (9) is guided, and the one Has curvature with a radius which corresponds to the distance of the lever (9) from an axis of rotation D of the truck (1). Device according to at least one of Claims 10 to 13 , characterized in that at least one rail or control cam is provided as the rotational guide, in or on which the axis of rotation D of the lifting truck (1) is guided, and which has a curvature so that the lifting truck (1) is set in rotary motion when passing through the rail or the control cam. Device according to at least one of Claims 1 to 14 , characterized in that the rotary movement of the lift truck (1) can be controlled by a blocking device. Device according to at least one of Claims 1 to 15 , characterized in that the distance ratio from the axis of rotation D to the point of application (10) is essentially equal to the distance ratio from the axis of rotation D to the center of the volume of an extreme container, the distance ratio being the ratio between a vertical distance V and a horizontal distance H to the axis of rotation D. Device according to Claim 16 , characterized in that the distance ratio between the axis of rotation D and the point of application (10) is greater than 1, preferably greater than 1.1, particularly preferably greater than 1.2. Device according to at least one of Claims 1 to 17 , characterized in that the lever (9) is arranged on the lift truck (1) in such a way that a point of application (10) of the traction means (7) on the lever (9) is arranged at the level of or above the volume center of a refuse container.

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