Patent Publication Number: US-2022219897-A1

Title: Refuse collection vehicle having slide and sweep mechanism with bolt-in bushings

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Heavy duty mechanical equipment used throughout the world typically includes a unique combination of work pieces, related power supplies and robust components specifically configured to withstand harsh operating environments. In many situations, this equipment includes specially designed mechanical components (i.e. levers, working surfaces, housings, shields, brackets, etc.) and related power actuators (e.g. hydraulic cylinders). In practice, the mechanical systems are all uniquely designed to carry out the desired motions/functions, meet the specific needs of the device, or provide appropriate protection. 
     With moving components, hydraulic cylinders are typically coupled to mechanical systems at appropriate locations to create the desired motion/movement when the cylinder is extended or retracted. Further, the movable components will be designed to travel along specific paths and to move in prescribed manners, which is dependent upon the design of components, connection points, operation of the cylinder, etc. One unique challenge for these heavy-duty mechanical systems involves the way movement is achieved and how the cylinders are coupled to related moving components. With hydraulic cylinders, a coupling ring will typically be positioned at the end of the hydraulic rod. On the moving components a similar hole (or set of holes) is positioned at the point where force from the cylinder will be received. A coupling pin will be configured to pass through the coupling ring and the hole/holes in the moving component, thereby allowing force to be provided to the moving component. Similarly, pins and related brackets are often used to allow/accommodate rotation of elements with respect to one another. In each of these situations, bushings are typically included to help manage wear and maintain alignment of the coupling pins. These bushings can be designed into the components themselves or can be added as a separate element. 
     Maintaining alignment of components during the manufacturing process can be challenging, especially when welded bushings are included. As is well recognized by those skilled in the art, welding causes metal parts to be strained, warped, and/or generally deformed. Maintaining tight tolerances is thus very challenging. Also, managing the wear of components can also be challenging. 
     As also mentioned above, these heavy-duty systems often operate in harsh conditions. Some examples include earth-moving equipment, machines used in mining, garbage collection/hauling trucks, manufacturing systems, etc. Consequently, any efforts to provide additional durability and prolong the life of components is very beneficial. 
     As mentioned, one application where mechanical systems are used in such harsh conditions is the refuse truck. These trucks include systems to accommodate the collection, packing and transport of refuse. The collection and packing (i.e. compaction) systems often require the use of mechanical components and/or systems such as those highlighted above. 
     SUMMARY 
     To provide a refuse truck with improved durability, flexibility and efficiency several aspects of the refuse collection mechanisms are improved in the embodiments of a refuse truck as described below. Further, several details are modified to improve the manufacturability and repairability of the refuse truck. 
     Throughout the systems and components typically used in a refuse collection vehicle, bushing and related coupling structures are used to carry out necessary functions. Within refuse collection systems, slide and sweep mechanisms are typically used to pull refuse from a collection hopper into a storage compartment. To carry out this function, several hydraulic cylinders are used to move related equipment. In most cases, pins are used to provide the necessary coupling of the driven shaft of the hydraulic cylinder to the related mechanical component. To provide additional efficiency in the manufacturing process and to provide reparability, bolt-in bushing are used in conjunction with these pins. The uses of bolt-in bushings for these situations also reduces the amount of welding necessary, thus also reducing the strain on related mechanical parts traditionally caused by welding. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further advantages of the systems, devices and embodiments for improved operations of a refuse truck will be better understood from reading the description set forth below in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary refuse truck; 
         FIG. 2  shows certain details of the refuse collection systems of the exemplary refuse truck shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  presents an exploded view of the scoop and sweep mechanism; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates one aspect of the prior art bushing structures used in a portion of the slide and sweep mechanism; 
         FIG. 5  is a close-up view of an installed bolt-on bushing structure used in the presented embodiments; 
         FIG. 6  shows a portion of the slide and sweep mechanism (similar to that shown in  FIG. 4 ) having bolt-on bushings, in a partially assembled state; and 
         FIG. 7  presents a perspective view of a bolt-on bushing alone. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Existing refuse collection trucks generally come in one of many different configurations, including a front loader version, side loader version, and rear loader version. As the names suggest, variations in operation and layout drive the way these refuse vehicles operate. Turning now to  FIG. 1 , one example of a rear loader refuse truck is illustrated. In this embodiment, rear loader refuse truck  10  is shown having a truck frame  12  supported by a pair of front wheels  14 , and a set of rear wheels  16 . Frame  12  also supports a cab  18  designed to contain several operator controls. As will also be recognized, a motor or engine (not shown) is housed under a front hood  22  and is configured to supply necessary power. Further components which will be clearly understood but are not specifically illustrated include a transmission, hydraulic pumps, an electrical power supply, hydraulic power structures (tubes, valves, etc.), and other operating components. Those skilled in the art will recognize the need and general operation of these components. 
     Also illustrated in  FIG. 1 , frame  12  supports and carries a collection mechanism  30  and a main collection body  40  which is has a framework that forms a main collection compartment  42 . Main collection body  40  includes various structural members necessary to maintain strength, and other protective elements such as fenders  400 . Although not shown, main collection body  40  may also contain a pusher mechanism to cause refuse to be ejected from a rear portion when collection mechanism  30  is hinged upwardly to an unloading or dumping position. 
     As illustrated in the various figures, collection mechanism  30  will include a bin, hopper or collection area  34  which is designed and configured to easily allow operators to deposit refuse therein. In operation, a sweep and scoop mechanism is used to pull refuse from the collection hopper  34  into main collection compartment  42 . In addition, compaction equipment is included so refuse is compacted as collection operations occur, thereby more efficiently utilizing the space and main collection compartment  42 . Further, it is typical for collection mechanism  30  to be hingeably mounted to main collection body  40  at an upper hinge point  32 . Based upon this connection methodology, the collection mechanism  30  can be swung upward and out of the way, thus allowing main collection compartment  40  to be easily emptied when full. 
     As suggested above, collection mechanism  30  includes several components which are specifically designed and configured to accommodate the collection of refuse. As one example,  FIG. 2  presents a perspective view of the collection mechanism  30  alone, which again is connected to main collection body  40  at hinge point  32  by a hinge connection  33 . In  FIG. 2  collection mechanism  30  slightly pulled away from main collection body  40  thus exposing a portion of main collection compartment  42 . Here, collection mechanism  42  is held in place by a lockout bar  37 . It is contemplated that the hinge connection  33  is achieved by appropriate hinge pins to accommodate the hinging of collection mechanism  30  as an entire unit. 
     One of the operative components included as part of collection mechanism  30  is a slide and sweep mechanism  50 , along with associated hydraulic cylinders and related controls. As will be further discussed below, slide and sweep mechanism  50  includes a slide panel  60  and a sweep plate  70 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that slide panel  60  and sweep plate  70  are configured to slide downward into collection hopper  34  which is positioned at a lower portion of collection mechanism  30 . As is well known, refuse handlers or truck operators typically place or dump refuse into collection chamber  34 , either by hand or using appropriate automated mechanisms. When collection hopper  34  is relatively full actuation of slide and sweep mechanism  50  will cause the refuse contained in collection hopper  34  to be scooped inward and into main collection compartment  42 . As illustrated, the collection chamber  34  is formed and defined by portions of a main housing or main body  36  which also provides support for all other components such as slide and sweep mechanism  50 . Also, several controls  38  and related hydraulic tubing  39  is attached to main body  36  to accommodate operation of the various systems contained or attached thereto. In addition, a tipper mechanism  90  can be attached at a rear portion of collection mechanism  30 , and includes a tipping bar  92 , a hinge mechanism  94  and related hydraulic cylinders  96 . As will be further discussed below, this tipper system  90  allows containers to be positioned adjacent a load edge for collection hopper  34  and can accommodate the automated tipping of refuse containers or collection containers, thus eliminating the need for physical lifting by operators. Further details and structures related to collection mechanism  30  are discussed in detail below. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , the various components of slide and sweep system  50  are illustrated. More specifically,  FIG. 3  includes a partially exploded view of the components making up slide and sweep system  50 . As shown, and as suggested above, the components of slide and sweep system  50  include slide panel  60  and sweep plate  70 . These two components are coupled to one another and cooperate to perform the scooping and transfer of refuse, as discussed above. As will be recognized, slide panel  60  and sweep plate  70  are connected to one another at a main hinge point  62 . Generally speaking, this connection is achieved using a primary pin  64  which is inserted through bushings in slide panel  60  and related bushings in sweep plate  70 . Primary pin  64  is also coupled with a connecting block  66  and retained by a holing plate (not shown) to further complete the desired rotatable coupling. 
       FIG. 3  also illustrates several other hinged or rotatable connections using similar connecting pins. In some cases, these connection pins are also coupled to a related hydraulic cylinder in order to allow certain operations or movements to occur. More specifically, it will be appreciated that the use of connecting pins to couple hydraulic cylinders to various components throughout the slide and sweep mechanism  50  provides the necessary ability to supply operational forces while also allowing for necessary rotation of related components. As one example, slide and sweep mechanism further includes a pair of sweep cylinders  52  and a pair of scoop cylinders  54 . The pair of sweep cylinders  52  are coupled between slide panel  60  and main body  36  of collection mechanism  30 , while the scoop cylinders  54  are coupled between slide panel  60  and sweep plate  70 . 
     Prior art systems have historically achieved rotatable couplings by welding appropriate bushings to various components.  FIG. 4  provides one example of this prior art concept. Here, an exemplary slide panel  60 ′ is partially illustrated. In operation, two hydraulic cylinders are attached to this portion of slide panel  60 ′. In this embodiment of slide panel  60 ′ a first bushing  160  is illustrated as being welded to an inner panel  168  of a slide panel  60 ′. In this prior art approach, the weld joint  162  provides the desired connection to inter surface  168 . Similarly, a second bushing  164  is also welded to internal panel  168  using a similar weld joint  166 . It will be noted that similar bushings  172  and  174  are also utilized on an outer panel  178  of a slide panel  60 ′. As will be recognized, when bushings are welded to other components, several negative consequences can result, such as expansion, shifting and distortion can occur. Since these bushings must be aligned with connection pins and other structures, these negative consequences are very undesirable. To deal with the inevitable negative consequences, it is necessary to either bore, grind or otherwise modify the bushings after they have been installed to ensure proper alignment. As will be anticipated or recognized, this provides an additional manufacturing step and significantly reduces efficiency. To rectify these concerns, altered bushings are utilized in the present embodiments, which greatly eliminate the negative consequences. 
     Throughout  FIG. 3  several bolt-in bushings  81 - 88  are shown to illustrate a way to more efficiently achieve the necessary coupling of components and to avoid the above-mentioned negative consequences. In addition, several bolt-in bushing are contemplated, but not specifically shown in  FIG. 3 . Turning now to  FIG. 5 , an alternative connection methodology using bolt-in bushings is illustrated. More specifically  FIG. 5  illustrates a portion of a slide panel  60 ″ with a pair of bolt-in bushings  180  and  182  which are utilized in the improved connection methodology of this embodiment. As further discussed below, first bushing  180  and second bushing  182  are bolt-on bushings which provide further efficiency and consistency in the manufacturing process. In this embodiment, a lower tab  66  of slide panel  60 ″ supports the connection for the above-referenced main hinge point  62 . As shown, lower tab  66  includes an opening  68  which is designed and configured to receive a portion of first bushing  180 . First bushing  180  includes a step cylindrical extension  185  which is configured to be inserted into opening  68 . A main cylindrical body  186  of first bushing  180  is configured to support threaded holes (not shown) designed to accommodate connection bolts  190 . To further complete the assembly, connection bolts  190  are threaded into related holes in lower tab  66 , thus the connection bolts  190  and bushing  180  to be securely attached. As also illustrated, connection bolts  190  and bushing  182  is similarly connected to an internal surface  68  of slide panel  60 ″. In  FIG. 5 , it is better illustrated how main body  188  of second bushing  182  includes threaded openings  192 . Again, threaded openings  192  are designed and configured to receive connection bolts  190 , thus allowing second bushing  182  to also be securely connected to inter surface  68  of slide panel  60 ″. 
     In a related manner,  FIG. 6  shows an illustration of bolt-in bushings  280  and  282  as used at an opposite end of slide panel  60 ″. In this case, first bolt-in bushing  280  and second bolt-in busing  282  are identical to those shown above in  FIG. 5 . As shown, the use of first bolt-in bushing  280  and second bolt-in bushing  282  allows for coupling pin  260  to be inserted through openings in each of these components (and openings in slide panel  60 ″) before final assembly is completed. At this point, a plurality of bolts  290  can be used to affix first bolt-in bushing  280  to slide plate  60 ″. Similarly, second bolt-in bushing  282  can also be affixed in the same manner. Clearly, this allows for the alignment of components and simplifies the final assembly process. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , a more specific view of bolt-in bushing  80  is further illustrated. In this embodiment, bolt-in bushing  80  includes a main cylindrical body  85  at a first end, and a flange or stepped portion  86  at a second end. Further, a main cylindrical body  85  extends outward from facing surface  82  and supports a main opening  81  (which extends along a central axis  91  along the entire length of the bolt-in bushing  80 ). As will be appreciated, main opening  81  is designed and configured to receive a cooperating attachment pin (not shown in  FIG. 7 ). Flange  86  is designed and configured to support several threaded openings  87  on a facing surface  82 , with the facing surface being situated generally perpendicular to central axis  91 . Based upon this configuration, bolt-in bushing  80  can be utilized in many different situations, such as those described in relation to the embodiments above. It is contemplated that bolt-in bushings  80 , and related pin connection structures are utilized in several places in slide and sweep mechanism  50 , as these provide better efficiencies in manufacturing, and prolong life. 
     As will be appreciated, assembly of various systems and related components can be achieved by first placing bolt-in bushing  80  in an appropriate opening in the related component and subsequently inserting the related connection pin as necessary. At that point, bolts  89  can be used to secure bolt-in bushing  80  at the desired location. Bolt-in bushing  80 , and related openings in cooperating components will be configured to have relatively small tolerance with respect to one-another, thus providing the ability to move and shift during the assembly process. Again, once all components are assembled, bolt-in bushing  80  can be firmly affixed at a later point in time (i.e. after all pins and other components have been inserted). Using this methodology, it will generally be unnecessary to machine, grind or otherwise manipulate in lifting bushings during the assembly process. Further, welding of bushings is avoided, thereby eliminating problems related to distortion generally caused by welding processes. 
     As discussed above, bolt-in bushing  80  is configured to have a plurality of threaded opening  87  which are designed to receive threaded bolts  89 . Alternative embodiments could use different connection methods. For example, unthreaded opening could be machined into bolt-on bushing, and a bolt/nut combination could be used for attachment purposes. Rivets and other alternative are also possible. 
     Various embodiments of the invention have been described above for purposes of illustrating the details thereof and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. The details and features of the disclosed embodiment[s] are not intended to be limiting, as many variations and modifications will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to be interpreted broadly and to include all variations and modifications coming within the scope and spirit of the appended claims and their legal equivalents.