US 10,196,206 B2Granted

Automatic control of a refuse front end loader

AssigneeThe Heil Co.

InventorsRalph Waldo Whitfield, Jr., Brian H. Ham, John M. Curotto, Andrew Blaine Cooper, Brian T. Parker

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

An automatic control system for a refuse vehicle includes a mode select switch disposed within the vehicle that generates a mode select signal based on input from an operator of the vehicle, a control mechanism disposed within the vehicle that operates in response to the mode select signal, and a plurality of sensors adapted to sense a plurality of characteristics of the vehicle and adapted to communicate the plurality of sensed characteristics. The system further includes a control module that receives control instructions from the control mechanism and selectively controls at least one component of a plurality of components of the vehicle based on the mode select signal, at least one of the plurality of sensed characteristics, and the control instructions.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An automatic control system of a refuse vehicle comprising:

a first actuatable switch;
a mode select module that:
(i) sets a selected mode to a first mode when the first switch is in a first position;
and
(ii) sets the selected mode to a second mode when the first switch is in a second position;
a joystick controller that:
(i) when the selected mode is the first mode:
(a) in response to actuation of a joystick along a first axis, generates control instructions to actuate a lift arm;
and
(b) in response to actuation of the joystick along a second axis, generates control instructions to actuate a mechanism engaged with a refuse container;
and
(ii) when the selected mode is the second mode and when a second switch is actuated:
(a) in response to actuation of the joystick along a third axis, generates control instructions to actuate the lift arm and the mechanism away from a starting position and toward a dump position;
and
(b) in response to actuation of the joystick along a fourth axis, generates control instructions to actuate the lift arm and the mechanism away from the dump position and toward the starting position;
(iii) when the selected mode is the second mode and the second switch is unactuated:
(a) in response to actuation of the joystick, generates control instructions to actuate a loader arm coupled to the refuse container;
a plurality of sensors that sense a plurality of characteristics of the vehicle;
and
a control module that actuates the lift arm and the mechanism based on the control instructions and at least one of the plurality of sensed characteristics, when the selected mode is the second mode.

17 more elements

An automatic control method for a refuse vehicle comprising:

setting a selected mode to a first mode when a first actuatable switch is in a first position;
setting the selected mode to a second mode when the first switch is in a second position;
when the selected mode is the second mode:
in response to actuation of a joystick along a first axis, generating control instructions to actuate a lift arm;
and
in response to actuation of the joystick along a second axis, generating control instructions to actuate a mechanism engaged with a refuse container;
when the selected mode is the second mode and when a second switch is actuated:
in response to actuation of the joystick along a third axis, generating control instructions to actuate the lift arm and the mechanism away from a starting position and toward a dump position;
and
in response to actuation of the joystick along a fourth axis, generating control instructions to actuate the lift arm and the mechanism away from the dump position and toward the starting position;
when the selected mode is the second mode and the second switch is unactuated:
in response to actuation of the joystick, generates control instructions to actuate a loader arm coupled to the refuse container:
sensing, using a plurality of sensors, a plurality of characteristics of the vehicle;
and
actuating the lift arm and the mechanism based on the control instructions and at least one of the plurality of sensed characteristics.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/244,291Filed 23 Aug 2016 · continuation
Priority: 17 May 2013
Published: US 2016/0355335 A18 Dec 2016
Granted: 5 Feb 2019
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

B65F 3/041
Linkages, pivoted arms, or pivoted carriers for raising and subsequently tipping receptacles: pivoted arms or pivoted carriers
B65F 2003/025
With means for discharging refuse receptacles thereinto: constructional features relating to actuating means for lifting or tipping containers
B65F 2003/0279
Constructional features relating to discharging means: the discharging means mounted at the front of the vehicle
B65F 2003/146
With devices for charging, distributing or compressing refuse in the interior of the tank of a refuse vehicle: sensors, e.g. pressure sensors

Family

Application61/824,605Us provisional application · filed 17 May 2013
Application14/276,423Parent of this continuation · filed 13 May 2014
US 9,428,334 B2Parent of this continuation · filed 30 Aug 2016
US 2016/0355335 A1Pre-grant publication · published 8 Dec 2016
US 2014/0343801 A1Published application
US 10,196,206 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.