Operating a packer to pack refuse within a storage container of a refuse collection vehicle

A refuse collection vehicle, comprising:

• a wheeled chassis;
• a storage container supported on the wheeled chassis;
• a packer disposed within the storage container;
• an actuator coupled to the packer and configured to exert a force on the packer to move the packer;
• a communication system configured to generate data indicating a distance of the packer from a wall of the storage container, the communication system comprising:
• a first communication device attached to the wall of the storage container;
• and
• a second communication device attached to a surface of the packer and facing the wall of the storage container;
• and
• a control system configured to receive, as input, the data indicating the distance of the packer from the wall of the storage container and to adjust one or more operating parameters of the actuator based on the distance between the packer and the wall of the storage container.

A method of operating a refuse collection vehicle, the method comprising:

• receiving, by a control system from a communication system, data indicating time-varying distance of a packer of the refuse collection vehicle from a wall of a storage container of the refuse collection vehicle, the communication system comprising:
• a first communication device attached to the wall of the storage container;
• and
• a second communication device attached to a surface of the packer and facing the wall of the storage container;
• determining, by the control system and based on the received data, a distance traveled by the packer over a time duration;
• and
• adjusting, by the control system and based on the distance traveled by the packer over the time duration, one or more operating parameters of an actuator coupled to the packer and configured to exert a force on the packer to move the packer.