Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CYCLOIDAL DRIVE TRANSMISSION
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application
No. 16/851,309,
filed April 17, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No.
62/842,919, filed May 3, 2019, both of which are incorporated herein by
reference in their
entireties.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Refuse vehicles collect a wide variety of waste, trash, and other
material from
residences and businesses. Operators of the refuse vehicles transport the
material from various
waste receptacles within a municipality to a storage or processing facility
(e.g., a landfill, an
incineration facility, a recycling facility, etc.).
SUMMARY
[0003] One embodiment relates to a tipper assembly for a refuse vehicle. The
tipper assembly
includes a base configured to couple to a tailgate of the refuse vehicle and
an actuator assembly
comprising an actuator and a transmission device. The actuator may be coupled
to the
transmission device and may be configured to provide an input to the
transmission device. The
transmission device may be configured to reduce a speed of the input. The
tipper assembly
further includes an arm extending from and pivotally coupled to at least one
of the actuator
assembly or the base and an implement coupled to the arm. The implement may be
configured
to engage with a refuse container and facilitate the dumping of contents
within the refuse
container into an opening in the tailgate.
[0004] Another embodiment relates to a cycloidal drive transmission. The
cycloidal drive
transmission includes a first stage cycloidal drive, a second stage cycloidal
drive, and an input
shaft. The first stage cycloidal drive includes a first cycloidal disc
defining a first aperture, a
first plurality of ring pins, and a housing defining a first cavity. The first
cycloidal disc and the
-1-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
first plurality of ring pins may be positioned within the first cavity. The
second stage cycloidal
drive includes a second cycloidal disc defining a second aperture, a second
plurality of ring pins,
and an annulus defining a second cavity. The second cycloidal disc and second
plurality of ring
pins may be positioned within the annulus. The input shaft may be configured
to receive an
input force from an actuator and may be configured to be received by the first
aperture and the
second aperture and to rotate about an input axis. The rotation of the input
shaft at a first speed
causes the rotation of the annulus at a second speed, wherein the second speed
is less than the
first speed.
[0005] Still another embodiment relates to a refuse vehicle. The refuse
vehicle includes a
chassis and a body assembly coupled to the chassis, and a tipper assembly. The
body assembly
defines a refuse compartment. The tipper assembly includes a base configured
to couple to the
refuse vehicle and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes an
actuator and a
transmission device, the actuator may be coupled to the transmission device
and configured to
provide an input to the transmission device. The transmission device may be
configured to
reduce a speed of the input. The tipper assembly further includes an arm
extending from and
pivotally coupled to at least one of the actuator assembly or the base and an
implement coupled
to the arm. The implement may be configured to engage with a refuse container
and facilitate
dumping contents within the refuse container into the refuse compartment
[0006] This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way
limiting. Other
aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices or processes
described herein will
become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in
conjunction with the
accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refuse vehicle, according to an
exemplary
embodiment.
-2-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
[0008] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective of the refuse vehicle of FIG. 1 having a
rear lift assembly,
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the lift assembly of FIG. 2 in a
first orientation,
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the lift assembly of FIG. 3 in a
second orientation,
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a bottom, rear perspective view of the lift assembly of FIG.
3, according to an
exemplary embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the lift assembly of FIG. 3, according to
an exemplary
embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the lift assembly of FIG. 2 in a
first orientation,
according to another exemplary embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the lift assembly of FIG. 7 in a
second orientation,
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the lift assembly of FIG. 2,
according to still
another exemplary embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a side view of the lift assembly of FIG. 9 in a first
orientation, according to
an exemplary embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a side view of the lift assembly of FIG. 9 in a second
orientation, according
to an exemplary embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the lift assembly of FIG. 9,
according to another
exemplary embodiment.
-3-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
[0019] FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the lift assembly of FIG. 9,
according to still
another exemplary embodiment.
[0020] FIGS. 14-16 show various gearboxes useable with the lift assembly of
FIG. 13,
according to various exemplary embodiments.
[0021] FIG. 17 is a side view of the lift assembly of FIG. 2 in a first
orientation, according to
yet another exemplary embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 18 is a side view of the lift assembly of FIG. 17 in a second
orientation, according
to an exemplary embodiment.
[0023] FIGS. 19-22 show various types of actuators usable with the lift
assembly of FIG. 2
other than an electric motor, according to various exemplary embodiments.
[0024] FIGS. 23-25 show various vibration/shake systems usable with the lift
assembly of
FIG. 2, according to various exemplary embodiments.
[0025] FIG. 26 is a cut-away perspective view of a cycloidal drive
transmission device,
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the cycloidal drive transmission
device of FIG. 26,
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 28 is a rear perspective view of the cycloidal drive transmission
device of FIG. 26,
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 29 is a side view of the cycloidal drive transmission device of
FIG. 26, according
to an exemplary embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 30 is an assembly view of the cycloidal drive transmission device
FIG. 26,
according to an exemplary embodiment.
-4-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
[0030] FIG. 31 is a front view of the cycloidal drive transmission device FIG.
28, according to
an exemplary embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 32 is a rear view of the cycloidal drive transmission device FIG.
28, according to
an exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain exemplary
embodiments in detail,
it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the
details or methodology set
forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be
understood that the
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not
be regarded as
limiting.
[0034] According to an exemplary embodiment, a refuse vehicle includes a rear
lift assembly
coupled to a tailgate of the refuse vehicle. The rear lift assembly includes a
base, an electric
actuator coupled to the base, an implement, and an arm extending between the
electric actuator
and the implement such that the implement is pivotally coupled to the base.
The electric actuator
is configured to pivot the implement between a first position and a second
position to facilitate
emptying contents from a refuse container interfacing with the implement into
a refuse
compaiiment of the refuse vehicle through the tailgate.
Overall Vehicle
[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle, shown as refuse vehicle 10 (e.g., a
garbage truck, a
waste collection truck, a sanitation truck, a recycling truck, etc.), is
configured as a front-loading
refuse truck. In other embodiments, the refuse vehicle 10 is configured as a
side-loading refuse
truck or a rear-loading refuse truck (see, e.g., FIG. 2). In still other
embodiments, the vehicle is
another type of vehicle (e.g., a skid-loader, a telehandler, a plow truck, a
boom lift, etc.). As
shown in FIG. 1, the refuse vehicle 10 includes a chassis, shown as frame 12;
a body assembly,
shown as body 14, coupled to the frame 12 (e.g., at a rear end thereof, etc.);
and a cab, shown as
cab 16, coupled to the frame 12 (e.g., at a front end thereof, etc.). The cab
16 may include
-5-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
various components to facilitate operation of the refuse vehicle 10 by an
operator (e.g., a seat, a
steering wheel, actuator controls, a user interface, switches, buttons, dials,
etc.).
[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the refuse vehicle 10 includes a prime mover, shown
as electric
motor 18, and an energy system, shown as energy storage and/or generation
system 20. In other
embodiments, the prime mover is or includes an internal combustion engine.
According to the
exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the electric motor 18 is coupled to the
frame 12 at a
position beneath the cab 16. The electric motor 18 is configured to provide
power to a plurality
of tractive elements, shown as wheels 22 (e.g., via a drive shaft, axles,
etc.). In other
embodiments, the electric motor 18 is otherwise positioned and/or the refuse
vehicle 10 includes
a plurality of electric motors to facilitate independently driving one or more
of the wheels 22. In
still other embodiments, the electric motor 18 or a secondary electric motor
is coupled to and
configured to drive a hydraulic system that powers hydraulic actuators.
According to the
exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the energy storage and/or generation
system 20 is
coupled to the frame 12 beneath the body 14. In other embodiments, the energy
storage and/or
generation system 20 is otherwise positioned (e.g., within a tailgate of the
refuse vehicle 10,
beneath the cab 16, along the top of the body 14, within the body 14, etc.).
[0037] According to an exemplary embodiment, the energy storage and/or
generation system
20 is configured to (a) receive, generate, and/or store power and (b) provide
electric power to (i)
the electric motor 18 to drive the wheels 22, (ii) electric actuators of the
refuse vehicle 10 to
facilitate operation thereof (e.g., lift actuators, tailgate actuators, packer
actuators, grabber
actuators, etc.), and/or (iii) other electrically operated accessories of the
refuse vehicle 10 (e.g.,
displays, lights, etc.). The energy storage and/or generation system 20 may
include one or more
rechargeable batteries (e.g., lithium-ion batteries, nickel-metal hydride
batteries, lithium-ion
polymer batteries, lead-acid batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, etc.),
capacitors, solar cells,
generators, power buses, etc. In one embodiment, the refuse vehicle 10 is a
completely electric
refuse vehicle. In other embodiments, the refuse vehicle 10 includes an
internal combustion
generator that utilizes one or more fuels (e.g., gasoline, diesel, propane,
natural gas, hydrogen,
etc.) to generate electricity to charge the energy storage and/or generation
system 20, power the
-6-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
electric motor 18, power the electric actuators, and/or power the other
electrically operated
accessories (e.g., a hybrid refuse vehicle, etc.). For example, the refuse
vehicle 10 may have an
internal combustion engine augmented by the electric motor 18 to cooperatively
provide power
to the wheels 22. The energy storage and/or generation system 20 may thereby
be charged via an
on-board generator (e.g., an internal combustion generator, a solar panel
system, etc.), from an
external power source (e.g., overhead power lines, mains power source through
a charging input,
etc.), and/or via a power regenerative braking system, and provide power to
the electrically
operated systems of the refuse vehicle 10. In some embodiments, the energy
storage and/or
generation system 20 includes a heat management system (e.g., liquid cooling,
heat exchanger,
air cooling, etc.).
[0038] According to an exemplary embodiment, the refuse vehicle 10 is
configured to transport
refuse from various waste receptacles within a municipality to a storage
and/or processing
facility (e.g., a landfill, an incineration facility, a recycling facility,
etc.). As shown in FIG. 1,
the body 14 includes a plurality of panels, shown as panels 32, a tailgate 34,
and a cover 36. The
panels 32, the tailgate 34, and the cover 36 define a collection chamber
(e.g., hopper, etc.),
shown as refuse compaiiment 30. Loose refuse may be placed into the refuse
compaiiment 30
where it may thereafter be compacted (e.g., by a packer system, etc.). The
refuse compaiiment
30 may provide temporary storage for refuse during transport to a waste
disposal site and/or a
recycling facility. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the body 14 and
the refuse
compaiiment 30 extend above or in front of the cab 16. According to the
embodiment shown in
FIG. 1, the body 14 and the refuse compaiiment 30 are positioned behind the
cab 16. In some
embodiments, the refuse compaiiment 30 includes a hopper volume and a storage
volume.
Refuse may be initially loaded into the hopper volume and thereafter compacted
into the storage
volume. According to an exemplary embodiment, the hopper volume is positioned
between the
storage volume and the cab 16 (e.g., refuse is loaded into a position of the
refuse compaiiment 30
behind the cab 16 and stored in a position further toward the rear of the
refuse compaiiment 30, a
front-loading refuse vehicle, a side-loading refuse vehicle, etc.). In other
embodiments, the
-7-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
storage volume is positioned between the hopper volume and the cab 16 (e.g., a
rear-loading
refuse vehicle, etc.).
[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the refuse vehicle 10 includes a lift
mechanism/system (e.g., a
front-loading lift assembly, etc.), shown as lift assembly 40, coupled to the
front end of the body
14. In other embodiments, the lift assembly 40 extends rearward of the body 14
(e.g., a rear-
loading refuse vehicle, etc.). In still other embodiments, the lift assembly
40 extends from a side
of the body 14 (e.g., a side-loading refuse vehicle, etc.). As shown in FIG.
1, the lift assembly
40 is configured to engage a container (e.g., a residential trash receptacle,
a commercial trash
receptacle, a container having a robotic grabber arm, etc.), shown as refuse
container 60. The lift
assembly 40 may include various actuators (e.g., electric actuators, hydraulic
actuators,
pneumatic actuators, etc.) to facilitate engaging the refuse container 60,
lifting the refuse
container 60, and tipping refuse out of the refuse container 60 into the
hopper volume of the
refuse compaiiment 30 through an opening in the cover 36 or through the
tailgate 34. The lift
assembly 40 may thereafter return the empty refuse container 60 to the ground.
According to an
exemplary embodiment, a door, shown as top door 38, is movably coupled along
the cover 36 to
seal the opening thereby preventing refuse from escaping the refuse
compaiiment 30 (e.g., due to
wind, bumps in the road, etc.).
Rear-Loading Lift Assembly
[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, the lift assembly 40 is configured as a rear-
loading lift assembly.
According to an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the lift assembly 40 is
configured to
facilitate lifting the refuse container 60 to dump the contents therein (e.g.,
trash, recyclables, etc.)
into the refuse compartment 30 through an opening, shown as hopper opening 35,
in the tailgate
34.
[0041] As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the rear-loading lift assembly is a first lift
assembly (e.g., a
tipper assembly, etc.), shown as lift assembly 300. As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the
lift assembly 300
includes a base, shown as base plate 302, having first supports, shown as
supports 304, extending
therefrom and second supports, shown as supports 306, extending therefrom and
positioned at
-8-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
opposing ends of the base plate 302. According to an exemplary embodiment, the
base plate 302
is configured to facilitate coupling the lift assembly 300 to the tailgate 34
of the refuse vehicle
10.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the lift assembly 300 includes an implement,
shown as
engagement plate 310. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the engagement plate 310 has a
pair of brackets,
shown as coupling brackets 312, disposed along a rear surface thereof. As
shown in FIGS. 3 and
6, the engagement plate 310 includes a first interface, shown as upper
retainer 314, disposed
along a front surface thereof. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the engagement plate
310 defines a
notch, shown as cutout 316, along a bottom edge thereof and in alignment with
the upper retainer
314. As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the engagement plate 310 includes a second
interface, shown as
lower retainers 318, disposed along the bottom edge thereof on each side of
the cutout 316.
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the lift assembly 300 includes a first actuator,
shown as pivot
actuator 320, coupled to the supports 304 of the base plate 302. According to
an exemplary
embodiment, the pivot actuator 320 is an electric actuator configured to be
powered via
electricity provided by the energy storage and/or generation system 20 or
another electrical
source on the refuse vehicle 10 (e.g., a generator, solar panels, etc.).
According to the exemplary
embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-6, the pivot actuator 320 is a rotational electric
actuator (e.g., an
electric motor, etc.). In some embodiments, the pivot actuator 320 is a linear
electric actuator
(e.g., a ball screw linear actuator driven by an electric motor, a lead screw
actuator driven by an
electric motor, etc.). In an alternative embodiment, the pivot actuator 320 is
a fluidly operated
actuator (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic rotary actuator, a pneumatic
cylinder, a
pneumatic rotary vane, etc.) operated by a fluid pump (e.g., a hydraulic pump,
a pneumatic
pump, etc.) driven by an electric motor (e.g., the electric motor 18, the
secondary electric motor,
an integrated motor of the fluid pump, etc.) (see, e.g., FIGS. 20-22).
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the lift assembly 300 includes a first pair of
arms, shown as
rotational arms 330. Each of the rotational arms 330 includes (i) a first end,
shown as base end
332, pivotally coupled to a respective end of the pivot actuator 320 and (ii)
an opposing second
-9-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
end, shown as implement end 334, pivotally coupled to a respective one of the
coupling brackets
312 disposed along the rear surface of the engagement plate 310, thereby
coupling the
engagement plate 310 to the pivot actuator 320. According to the exemplary
embodiment shown
in FIGS. 3 and 4, the base ends 332 of the rotational arms 330 are directly
coupled to the pivot
actuator 320. In other embodiments, the lift assembly 300 includes a gear
arrangement or
transmission device (e.g., an inline transmission device, a planetary or
epicyclic gearbox, a
cycloidal drive, a harmonic drive, an intermediary transmission device,
eccentric gearing,
parallel axis gearing, a double-reduction worm gear assembly, etc.) positioned
between the pivot
actuator 320 and the rotational arms 330. According to an exemplary
embodiment, the lift
assembly may include a cycloidal drive transmission device 700 as discussed in
detail below
with reference to FIGS. 26-32.
[0045] As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the lift assembly 300 includes a second pair of
arms, shown as
idler arms 340. Each of the idler arms 340 includes (i) a first end, shown as
base end 342,
pivotally coupled to a respective one of the supports 306 disposed along the
base plate 302, and
(ii) an opposing second end, shown as implement end 344, pivotally coupled to
a respective one
of the coupling brackets 312 disposed along the rear surface of the engagement
plate 310.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the length of the idler arms 340 is
selectively adjustable
(e.g., increased, decreased, etc.) to modify an angle of the engagement plate
310 relative to the
base plate 302 (e.g., tilt the engagement plate 310 forward, backward, etc.).
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the lift assembly 300 includes a locking system,
shown as
locking assembly 350. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the locking assembly 350 includes
a coupler,
shown as locking assembly bracket 352, coupled to the rear surface of the
engagement plate 310,
proximate the cutout 316. As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the locking assembly 350
includes a movable
retainer, shown as clamp 354, pivotally coupled to the locking assembly
bracket 352 and
positioned such that the clamp 354 extends through the cutout 316 of the
engagement plate 310.
As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the locking assembly 350 includes a second actuator,
shown as locking
actuator 356, coupled to the locking assembly bracket 352 and positioned to
facilitate selectively
locking the clamp 354 in place to prevent rotation thereof. According to an
exemplary
-10-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
embodiment, the locking actuator 356 is an electric actuator configured to be
powered via
electricity provided by the energy storage and/or generation system 20 or
another electrical
source on the refuse vehicle 10 (e.g., a generator, solar panels, etc.).
According to an exemplary
embodiment, the locking actuator 356 is a linear actuator configured to extend
and retract to
selectively, pivotally fix the clamp 354 in place. In one embodiment, the
locking actuator 356 is
or includes a ball screw driven by an electric motor (e.g., a linear,
mechanical actuator, etc.). In
other embodiments, another type of electrically driven, linear actuator is
used (e.g., a lead screw
actuator, etc.). In another embodiment, the locking actuator 356 is a
rotational actuator. In an
alternative embodiment, the locking actuator 356 is a fluidly operated
actuator (e.g., a hydraulic
cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a pneumatic rotary vane, etc.) operated by a
fluid pump (e.g., a
hydraulic pump, a pneumatic pump, etc.) driven by an electric motor (e.g., the
electric motor 18,
the secondary electric motor, an integrated motor of the fluid pump, etc.).
[0047] According to an exemplary embodiment, the pivot actuator 320 is
selectively
controllable to pivot the engagement plate 310 between a first position or
base position, as shown
in FIG. 3, and a second position or dump position, as shown in FIG. 4.
According to an
exemplary embodiment, the upper retainer 314 and the lower retainers 318 are
configured to
engage a first interface (e.g., a lip, etc.) and a second interface (e.g., a
bar, etc.), respectively, of
the refuse container 60 when the engagement plate 310 is in the base position.
The clamp 354
may freely pivot and lie on top of the second interface when the engagement
plate 310 is in the
base position such that the second interface is positioned between the lower
retainers 318 and the
clamp 354. However, the locking actuator 356 may be configured to lock the
clamp 354 in place
when the pivot actuator 320 pivots the engagement plate 310 into the dump
position (e.g.,
immediately once the pivot actuator 320 is activated, once the engagement
plate 310 reaches a
predetermined angle, etc.). Such locking of the clamp 354 may thereby prevent
the refuse
container 60 from dislodging from the engagement plate 310 when pivoted to
empty the contents
within the refuse container 60. The locking actuator 356 may thereafter be
configured to unlock
the clamp 354 in response to the pivot actuator 320 returning the engagement
plate 310 to the
initial, base position (e.g., once the engagement plate 310 is no longer in
motion, once the
-11-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
engagement plate 310 reaches a predefined angle, etc.) so that the refuse
container 60 can be
removed from the engagement plate 310 by an operator.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the rear-loading lift assembly is a second
lift assembly
(e.g., a tipper assembly, etc.), shown as lift assembly 400. The lift assembly
400 may be similar
to the lift assembly 300 except the engagement plate 310, the rotational arms
330, and the idler
arms 340 may be replaced with a unitary structure, shown as implement 410. As
shown in FIGS.
7 and 8, the implement 410 includes a front plate, shown as engagement plate
412, having a first
pair of arms, shown as outer arms 414, extending from and integrally formed
with the
engagement plate 412. The outer arms 414 are coupled to the pivot actuator 320
such that the
engagement of the pivot actuator 320 facilitates selectively pivoting the
outer arms 414 and,
thereby, the engagement plate 412 therewith, between the base position, as
shown in FIG. 7, and
the dump position, as shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, the implement 410
includes a
second pair of arms, shown as inner arms 416, spaced from and positioned
between the outer
arms 414. According to an exemplary embodiment, the inner arms 416 extend from
and are
integrally formed with the engagement plate 412. As shown in FIG. 8, the inner
arms 416 are
coupled to the pivot actuator 320. The inner arms 416 may, therefore, provide
extra support and
stability to the implement 410. In some embodiments, the implement 410 does
not includes the
inner arms 416.
[0049] As shown in FIGS. 9-11, the rear-loading lift assembly is a third lift
assembly (e.g., a
tipper assembly, etc.), shown as lift assembly 500. The lift assembly 500 may
be similar to the
lift assembly 300 except as identified below. As shown in FIGS. 9-11, the lift
assembly 500
includes an implement, shown as tipper implement 506, coupled to the base
plate 302 and the
pivot actuator 320. According to an exemplary embodiment, the tipper implement
506 is
configured to selectively engage the refuse container 60. The pivot actuator
320 is then
configured to pivot the tipper implement 506 and the refuse container 60 about
an axis, shown
pivot axis 502, to facilitate dumping the contents within the refuse container
60 (e.g., trash,
recyclables, etc.) into the refuse compaiiment 30 through the hopper opening
35 in the tailgate
34 of the refuse vehicle 10.
-12-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
[0050] As shown in FIGS. 9-11, the tipper implement 506 of the lift assembly
500 includes a
first pair of arms, shown as pivot arms 508, pivotally coupled to the pivot
actuator 320; a first
engagement assembly, shown as upper engagement assembly 520, coupled to the
pivot arms
508; a second engagement assembly, shown as lower engagement assembly 530,
coupled to the
pivot arms 508; and a second pair of arms, shown as support arms 550,
extending between the
base plate 302 and the lower engagement assembly 530.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 9-11, each of the pivot arms 508 include a plate,
shown as arm plate
510, having (i) a first end, shown as base end 512, pivotally coupled to a
respective end of the
pivot actuator 320 and (ii) an opposing second end, shown as implement end
514, coupled the
upper engagement assembly 520 and the lower engagement assembly 530. According
to the
exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the base ends 512 of the pivot arms 508
are directly
coupled to opposing sides of the pivot actuator 320. As shown in FIG. 9, each
of the pivot arms
508 includes an interface, shown as support plate 516, positioned between the
base end 512 and
the implement end 514 of each of the arm plates 510 and extending inward from
an inner surface
thereof. As shown in FIGS. 9-11, each of the pivot arms 508 includes an
extension, shown as
rod 518, extending downward from the implement end 514 of each of the arm
plates 510.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 9-11, the upper engagement assembly 520 includes a
first bracket,
shown as upper engagement bracket 522. As shown in FIG. 9, the upper
engagement bracket
522 has (i) flanges, shown as coupling flanges 524, extending from opposing
ends of the upper
engagement bracket 522 that are configured to interface with the support
plates 516 of the pivot
arms 508 to couple the upper engagement bracket 522 to the pivot arms 508. As
shown in FIGS.
9-11, the upper engagement assembly 520 includes a first retainer, shown as
upper retainer 526,
disposed along a front surface of the upper engagement bracket 522.
[0053] As shown in FIGS. 9-11, the lower engagement assembly 530 includes a
pair of
receivers, shown as cylinders 532, having upper ends that receive the rods 518
of the upper
engagement assembly 520, and a second bracket, shown as lower engagement
bracket 534,
extending between lower ends of the cylinders 532. The lower engagement
bracket 534 includes
-13-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
a plurality of interfaces, shown as roller interfaces 536, extending from a
bottom edge thereof.
The roller interfaces 536 facilitate rotationally coupling a plurality of
rollers, shown as rollers
538, to the lower engagement bracket 534 proximate each lateral end of the
lower engagement
bracket 534 and spaced from each other such that a gap, shown as retainer gap
540, if formed
therebetween. The lower engagement bracket 534 further includes a second
retainer, shown as
lower retainer 542, positioned within the retainer gap 540 and extending from
the bottom edge of
the lower engagement bracket 534.
[0054] As shown in FIGS. 9-11, each of the support arms 550 includes (i) a
first end, shown as
base end 552, pivotally coupled to a respective one of the supports 306
disposed along the base
plate 302 and (ii) an opposing second end, shown as implement end 554,
pivotally coupled to the
upper end of a respective one of the cylinders 532 of the lower engagement
assembly 530.
[0055] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the pivot arms 508 are coupled to the
pivot actuator 320
such that the engagement of the pivot actuator 320 facilitates selectively
pivoting the pivot arms
508 about the pivot axis 502 and, thereby, the upper engagement assembly 520,
the lower
engagement assembly 530, and the support arms 550 therewith between the base
position, as
shown in FIG. 10, and the dump position, as shown in FIG. 11. According to the
exemplary
embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the rods 518 of the upper engagement
assembly 520 and
the cylinders 532 of the lower engagement assembly 530 translate relative to
each other (i.e., the
rods 518 slide in and out of the cylinders 532) as the tipper implement 506 is
pivoted between
the base position and the dump position. Specifically, (i) as shown in FIG.
10, the upper retainer
526 of the upper engagement assembly 520 is spaced a first distance d1 from
the lower retainer
542 of the lower engagement assembly 530 when the tipper implement 506 is in
the base
position and (ii) as shown in FIG. 11, the upper retainer 526 of the upper
engagement assembly
520 is spaced a second, longer distance d2 from the lower retainer 542 of the
lower engagement
assembly 530 when the tipper implement 506 is in the dump position. According
to an
exemplary embodiment, only the upper retainer 526 is configured to engage a
first, upper
interface (e.g., a lip, etc.) of the refuse container 60 when the tipper
implement 506 is in the base
position. Then, as the tipper implement 506 is pivoted about the pivot axis
502 from the base
-14-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
position toward the dump position, the upper retainer 526 and the lower
retainer 542 will begin
to separating further apart from each other until the lower retainer 542
engages a second, lower
interface (e.g., a bar, etc.) of the refuse container 60, thereby securing the
refuse container 60 to
the tipper implement 506.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 12, the lift assembly 500 includes a first
transmission device, shown
as inline transmission device 560, positioned along the pivot axis 502 (e.g.,
an in-line
arrangement, etc.) between the pivot actuator 320 and at least one of the
pivot arms 508. The
pivot actuator 320, thereby, indirectly drives the motion of the pivot arms
508 and the tipper
implement 506 through the inline transmission device 560. In some embodiments,
the inline
transmission device 560 is or includes a planetary or an epicyclic gearbox. In
some
embodiments, the inline transmission device 560 is or includes a cycloidal
drive transmission
device 700, as is described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 26-32. In
some
embodiments, the inline transmission device 560 is or includes a harmonic
drive. It should be
understood that the inline transmission device 560 could similarly be
implemented with the lift
assembly 300 and/or the lift assembly 400.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 13, the lift assembly 500 includes a second
transmission device,
shown as offset transmission device 570, positioned between the pivot actuator
320 and at least
one of the pivot arms 508. Specifically, the pivot actuator 320 is coupled to
the base plate 302
and positioned offset from the pivot axis 502 along a second axis, shown as
offset axis 504, that
is parallel to the pivot axis 502 (e.g., a parallel arrangement, etc.). The
pivot actuator 320,
thereby, indirectly drives the motion of the motion of the pivot arms 508 and
the tipper
implement 506 through the offset transmission device 570. As shown in FIG. 13,
the offset
transmission device 570 includes (i) a shaft, shown as pivot shaft 572,
extending along the pivot
axis 502 and between the base ends 512 of the pivot arms 508 and (ii) an
intermediary connector,
shown as connector 574, rotationally coupling the pivot actuator 320 to the
pivot shaft 572. In
some embodiments, the offset transmission device 570 does not include the
pivot shaft 572.
Rather, the connector 574 may be directly coupled to the base end 512 of one
of the pivot arms
508. Alternatively, the connector 574 may include (i) a first connector that
extends between a
-15-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
first output of the pivot actuator 320 and a first pivot arm 508 and (ii) a
second connector that
extends between a second output of the pivot actuator 320 and a second pivot
arm 508.
[0058] In some embodiments, the connector 574 is or includes a gearbox. In
some
embodiments, the connector 574 is or includes a belt or chain assembly. As
shown in FIG. 14,
the connector 574 includes an eccentric gearing gearbox 576 having (i) an
input gear 578
configured to couple to an output of the pivot actuator 320, (ii) an output
gear 580 configured to
couple to the pivot shaft 572 (or directly to one of the pivot arms 508), and
(iii) an intermediary
gear 582 positioned between the input gear 578 and the output gear 580 and
offset from the
rotational axes thereof. As shown in FIG. 15, the connector 574 includes a
parallel axis gearing
gearbox 584 having (i) the input gear 578 and the output gear 580 directly
coupled to the input
gear 578. As shown in FIG. 16, the connector 574 includes a double-reduction
worm gear
gearbox 586. It should be understood that the offset transmission device 570
could similarly be
implemented with the lift assembly 300 and/or the lift assembly 400.
[0059] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the lift assembly 500 includes a linkage
system, shown
as linkage assembly 590, having a first pulley, shown as motor pulley 592,
fixed to the output of
the pivot actuator 320; a second pulley, shown as traveling pulley 594; a
first linkage, shown as
link 596, extending between a pivot at the bottom of the base plate 302 and
the traveling pulley
594; a second linkage, shown as link 598, extending between the traveling
pulley 594 and the
lower engagement assembly 530 (e.g., the interior side of a respective one of
the cylinders 532,
etc.); and a cable, shown as looped cable 599, extending around the motor
pulley 592 and the
traveling pulley 594. In some embodiments, the lift assembly 500 includes a
pair of linkage
assemblies 590, one on each side of the pivot actuator 320. In some
embodiments, the pivot
arms 508 are directly, pivotally coupled to the base plate 302, rather than
the pivot actuator 320,
when the lift assembly 500 includes the linkage assembly 590. According to the
exemplary
embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the pivot actuator 320 drives the motor
pulley 592,
which winds the looped cable 599 around the motor pulley 592, thereby pulling
on the traveling
pulley 594, which causes the link 596 and the link 598 to pivot and drive the
tipper implement
506 from the base position to the dump position. It should be understood that
the linkage
-16-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
assembly 590 could similarly be implemented with the lift assembly 300 and/or
the lift assembly
400.
[0060] According to the various embodiments shown in FIGS. 19-22, various
other types of
actuators are usable with the lift assembly 300, the lift assembly 400, and/or
the lift assembly
500 other than an electric motor directly or indirectly coupled to the tipper
implement 506 of the
lift assembly 500, the implement 410 of the lift assembly 400, and/or the
engagement plate 310
of the lift assembly 300. As shown in FIG. 19, the pivot actuator 320 is
configured as an electric
motor acting through a push chain where the push chain is configured to engage
with and pivot
the tipper implement 506 of the lift assembly 500, the implement 410 of the
lift assembly 400,
and/or the engagement plate 310 of the lift assembly 300 between the base
position and the dump
position. As shown in FIG. 20, the pivot actuator 320 is configured as
pneumatic rotary vane
having an output shaft that is configured to pivot the tipper implement 506 of
the lift assembly
500, the implement 410 of the lift assembly 400, and/or the engagement plate
310 of the lift
assembly 300 between the base position and the dump position. In some
embodiments, the
pneumatic rotary vane is replaced with a hydraulic rotary actuator. The air
and/or hydraulic fluid
may be provided to the pneumatic rotary vane and/or the hydraulic rotary
actuator by a fluid
pump (e.g., a pneumatic pump, a hydraulic pump, etc.) driven by an electric
motor. As shown in
FIGS. 21 and 22, the pivot actuator 320 is a linear actuator configured to
pivot the tipper
implement 506 of the lift assembly 500, the implement 410 of the lift assembly
400, and/or the
engagement plate 310 of the lift assembly 300 between the base position and
the dump position.
In some embodiments, the linear actuator is an electric linear actuator (e.g.,
a ball screw linear
actuator driven by an electric motor, a ball screw linear actuator driven by
an electric motor, a
linear, mechanical actuator, etc.). In some embodiments, linear actuator is a
fluidly operated
actuator (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, etc.) operated by
a fluid pump (e.g., a
hydraulic pump, a pneumatic pump, etc.) driven by an electric motor (e.g., the
electric motor 18,
the secondary electric motor, an integrated motor of the fluid pump, etc.).
[0061] As shown in FIGS. 23-25, the lift assembly 500 includes a vibratory
system, shown as
shaker system 600. According to an exemplary embodiment, the shaker system 600
is
-17-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
configured to perform a shake function to vibrate, shake, or otherwise agitate
the refuse container
60 when (i) the refuse container 60 is coupled to the tipper implement 506 and
(ii) the tipper
implement 506 is in the duping position to dislodge the contents within the
refuse container 60
and coax them to fall out of the refuse container 60 into the hopper opening
35 in the tailgate 34
of the refuse vehicle 10. As shown in FIGS. 23-25, the shaker system 600 is
used in
combination with the pivot actuator 320 and the inline transmission device 560
to perform the
shake function. Specifically, the inline transmission device 560 used with the
shaker system 600
is a planetary or epicyclic gearbox having (i) a sun gear 562 coupled to the
output of the pivot
actuator 320, (ii) a plurality of planet gears 564 in meshing engagement with
the sun gear 562,
(iii) a ring gear 566 in meshing engagement with the plurality of planet gears
564, (iv) a carrier
568 coupled to (a) the plurality of planet gears 564 and (b) one of the pivot
arms 508, and (v) a
brake 569 positioned to selectively engage and prevent rotation of the ring
gear 566. According
to an exemplary embodiment, the inline transmission device 560 may be the
cycloidal drive
transmission device 700 described below in detail with reference to FIGS. 26-
32.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 23, the shaker system 600 includes a first linkage or
cam, shown as
linkage 610, extending between the ring gear 566 and the lower retainer 542.
In such an
embodiment, the lower retainer 542 is configured to oscillate up and down
within the retainer
gap 540 to provide the shake function. Specifically, the shake function may be
performed as
follows: (i) the brake 569 is engaged to limit rotation of the ring gear 566;
(ii) the pivot actuator
320 provides an input to the sun gear 562, which causes (a) the plurality of
planet gears 564 to
rotate about the sun gear 562 and relative to the ring gear 566 and (b) the
carrier 568 to rotate
with the plurality of planet gears 564; (iii) the rotation of the carrier 568
pivots the pivot arms
508 and, thereby, the tipper implement 506 about the pivot axis 502 from the
base position to the
dump position; (iv) when the dump position is reached, the tipper implement
506 experiences a
hard stop that stops rotation of the carrier 568 and causes a torque spike;
(v) the torque spike
either (a) causes the braking force of the brake 569 on the ring gear 566 to
be overcome such that
the ring gear 566 begins to rotate or (b) causes the brake 569 to disengage
such that the ring gear
566 begins to rotate; and (vi) the rotation of the ring gear 566 drives the
linkage 610 therewith,
-18-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
which causes the lower retainer 542 to oscillate up and down, providing the
shake function to the
refuse container 60.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 24, the shaker system 600 includes the linkage 610
extending from
the ring gear 566 and a second linkage, shown as linkage 620, having a first
end pivotally
coupled to an end of the linkage 610 opposite the ring gear 566 at a pivot 612
and an opposing
second end pivotally coupled to a pivot 622 of the tailgate 34. The upper end
of the base plate
302 may also be pivotally coupled to the pivot 622. In such an embodiment, the
entire lift
assembly 500 is configured to oscillate to provide the shake function.
Specifically, the shake
function may be performed as follows: (i) the brake 569 is engaged to limit
rotation of the ring
gear 566; (ii) the pivot actuator 320 provides an input to the sun gear 562,
which causes (a) the
plurality of planet gears 564 to rotate about the sun gear 562 and relative to
the ring gear 566 and
(b) the carrier 568 to rotate with the plurality of planet gears 564; (iii)
the rotation of the carrier
568 pivots the pivot arms 508 and, thereby, the tipper implement 506 about the
pivot axis 502
from the base position to the dump position; (iv) when the dump position is
reached, the tipper
implement 506 experiences a hard stop that stops rotation of the carrier 568
and causes a torque
spike; (v) the torque spike either (a) causes the braking force of the brake
569 on the ring gear
566 to be overcome such that the ring gear 566 begins to rotate or (b) causes
the brake 569 to
disengage such that the ring gear 566 begins to rotate; and (vi) the rotation
of the ring gear 566
drives the linkage 610 and the linkage 620 therewith, which causes the base
plate 302 to
pivotally oscillate about the pivot 622, providing the shake function to the
refuse container 60.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 25, the shaker system 600 includes the linkage 610
extending from
the ring gear 566 and plate, shown as shaker plate 630, (i) positioned between
the upper retainer
526 and the lower retainer 542 to engage the refuse container 60 and (ii)
coupled to an end of the
linkage 610 opposite the ring gear 566. In such an embodiment, the shaker
plate 630 is
configured to oscillate to provide the shake function. Specifically, the shake
function may be
performed as follows: (i) the brake 569 is engaged to limit rotation of the
ring gear 566; (ii) the
pivot actuator 320 provides an input to the sun gear 562, which causes (a) the
plurality of planet
gears 564 to rotate about the sun gear 562 and relative to the ring gear 566
and (b) the carrier 568
-19-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
to rotate with the plurality of planet gears 564; (iii) the rotation of the
carrier 568 pivots the pivot
arms 508 and, thereby, the tipper implement 506 about the pivot axis 502 from
the base position
to the dump position; (iv) when the dump position is reached, the tipper
implement 506
experiences a hard stop that stops rotation of the carrier 568 and causes a
torque spike; (v) the
torque spike either (a) causes the braking force of the brake 569 on the ring
gear 566 to be
overcome such that the ring gear 566 begins to rotate or (b) causes the brake
569 to disengage
such that the ring gear 566 begins to rotate; and (vi) the rotation of the
ring gear 566 drives the
linkage 610 therewith, which causes the shaker plate 630 to oscillate,
providing the shake
function to the refuse container 60.
[0065] In other embodiments (e.g., embodiments where the lift assembly 500
does not include
the inline transmission device 560, etc.), the shaker system 600 includes a
shake actuator (e.g.,
an electric motor, etc.) independent of the pivot actuator 320 that performs
the shake operation
(e.g., by being coupled to and driving the linkage 610, the lower retainer
542, the linkage 620,
the shaker plate 630, etc.). In still other embodiments (e.g., embodiments
where the lift
assembly 500 does not include the inline transmission device 560, embodiments
where the
shaker system 600 does not include the shaker actuator, etc.), the pivot
actuator 320 is configured
to perform the shake function by operating at the natural frequency thereof,
which causes the lift
assembly 500 to shake. Further, it should be understood that the shaker system
600 could
similarly be implemented with the lift assembly 300 and/or the lift assembly
400.
[0066] Referring now to FIGS. 26-32, a cycloidal drive transmission device 700
is shown,
according to an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments, the inline
transmission device
560 may be the cycloidal drive transmission device 700 as shown in FIGS. 26-
32. In other
embodiments, the offset transmission device 570 may be the cycloidal drive
transmission device
700 as shown in FIGS. 26-32. In other embodiments, the cycloidal drive
transmission device
700 may serve as a transmission device used elsewhere on the refuse vehicle
10. As noted
above, an inline transmission device 560 or the offset transmission device
570¨and thus the
cycloidal drive transmission device 700¨may be coupled to the pivot actuator
320 and one of
the pivot arms 508 and may facilitate the movement of the pivot arms 508 to
operate the tipper
-20-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
500. In various inline arrangements, such as that shown in FIG. 12, the
cycloidal drive
transmission device 700 may be positioned along the pivot axis 502 (e.g., an
in-line arrangement,
etc.) between the pivot actuator 320 and at least one of the pivot arms 508
such that the pivot
actuator 320 may drive the motion of the pivot arms 508 through the cycloidal
drive transmission
device 700. In various offset arrangements, such as that shown in FIG. 13, the
cycloidal drive
may not be positioned along the pivot axis 502, but may nonetheless be
configured to rotate the
at least one pivot arm 508 by rotating the shaft 572 using connector 574, as
is discussed above.
[0067] The cycloidal drive transmission device 700 may be a speed-reducing
device
configured to produce a rotational output at a speed that is less than a
rotational speed of an
input. In particular, the cycloidal drive transmission device 700 may receive
an input force from
the pivot actuator 320, the input force having a rotational direction (e.g.,
clockwise,
anticlockwise, etc.), and a rotational speed (e.g., 1000 RPM). The cycloidal
drive transmission
device 700 may transmit an output force having a rotational direction and a
rotational speed,
where the output rotational speed is less than the input rotational speed. In
some embodiments,
the cycloidal drive transmission device 700 may reduce the rotational speed of
the input by a
factor of 166.4 to one (i.e. a speed reduction ratio of 166.4:1) such that
166.4 rotations of an
input from the pivot actuator 320 results in one rotation of an output device,
as is described in
further detail below. In some embodiments, the cycloidal drive transmission
device 700 may
produce an output having the same rotational direction as the input. In other
embodiments, the
output may have a rotational direction that is opposite the input.
[0068] As shown in FIGS 26-32, the cycloidal drive transmission device 700 may
include a
primary shaft 701, one or more intermediate shafts 715, a first stage
cycloidal drive 720, and a
second stage cycloidal drive 728. The primary shaft 701 may have an input end
702, an output
end 703, and a primary axis 704. The primary axis 704 may extend through a
center point of
both the input end 702 and the output end 703, whereas the primary axis 704
may not extend
through a center point of various eccentric lobes of the primary shaft, as is
discussed below.
According to an exemplary embodiment, input end 702 is configured to couple to
or engage with
an input device (e.g., the pivot actuator 320) such that rotational energy
produced by the pivot
-21-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
actuator 320 causes the primary shaft 701 to rotate. For example, the input
end 702 may
comprise splines, ridges, teeth, keys or keyways that correspond to grooves,
keyways, or keys of
a mating interface of the pivot actuator 320. As is discussed in greater
detail below, the output
end 703 of the primary shaft 701 may not be configured to engage with or
coupled any output
device but may instead rotate freely (i.e. without interacting with any other
components besides
friction-reducing elements). Accordingly, the output end may be a smooth
shaft, rather than
having splines, a keyway, etc. In various other embodiments, the cycloidal
drive transmission
device 700 may include one stage, or more than two stages.
[0069] The primary shaft 701 may further include a first eccentric lobe 705
and a second
eccentric lobe 707. The first eccentric lobe may have a centerline, shown as
first eccentric lobe
axis 706. Likewise, the second eccentric lobe may have a centerline, shown as
second eccentric
lobe axis 708. According to an exemplary embodiment, the first eccentric lobe
axis 706 and the
second eccentric lobe axis 708 may not be coaxial, but may instead be offset
with respect to each
other. Moreover, both of the first eccentric lobe axis 706 and the second
eccentric lobe axis 708
may be offset from the primary axis 704. Because the first eccentric lobe 705
and the second
eccentric lobe 707 have centerlines that are offset from the primary axis 704,
rotation of the
primary shaft 701 about the primary axis 704, such as by input provided by the
pivot actuator
320, will cause the eccentric rotation of the first eccentric lobe 705 and the
second eccentric lobe
707 about the primary axis 704.
[0070] The one or more intermediate shafts 715 may include a first lobe 716
having a first lobe
axis 717 and a second lobe 718 having a second lobe axis 719. Similar to the
eccentric lobes
705, 707 of the primary shaft 701, the first lobe axis 717 may be offset from
(i.e. not coaxial
with) the second lobe axis 719. More specifically, the degree of offset
between the first lobe axis
717 and the second lobe axis 719 may be equal to the degree of offset between
the first eccentric
lobe axis 706 and the second eccentric lobe axis 708 of the primary shaft 701.
Unlike the
primary shaft 701, the one or more intermediate shafts 715 may not include an
input end
configured to couple to or interact with an input device. Rather, the one or
more intermediate
-22-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
shafts 715 may rotate as components of the first stage cycloidal drive 720 and
second stage
cycloidal drive 728 rotate.
[0071] The first stage cycloidal drive 720 may include a housing 721, a first
cycloidal disc 722,
a plurality of ring pins 726, and a plurality of ring pin sleeves 727. Each of
the first cycloidal
disc 722, the plurality of ring pins 726 and the plurality of ring pin sleeves
727 may be housed
within the housing 721, according to an exemplary embodiment. More
specifically, the housing
721 may include an interior cavity that is configured to receive the first
cycloidal disc 722, the
plurality of ring pins 726, and the plurality of ring pin sleeves 727 and may
permit the first
cycloidal disc 722 to rotate about the primary axis 704, as is described in
detail below.
[0072] The first cycloidal disc 722 may include a plurality of lobes 723, a
primary aperture
724, one or more intermediate apertures 725, and one or more additional
apertures 739. The
primary aperture 724 may be configured to receive and couple to the primary
shaft 701, namely
the first eccentric lobe 705 of the primary shaft 701. Accordingly, the
primary aperture 724 may
have a diameter that is proximate to a diameter of the first eccentric lobe
705, although the
diameter of the primary aperture 724 may be larger than the diameter of the
first eccentric lobe
705 as to accommodate friction-reducing elements (e.g., roller bearings,
thrust bearings, etc.).
The first eccentric lobe axis 706 may be coaxial with an axis of the primary
aperture 724. In
various embodiments, the first eccentric lobe 705 of the primary shaft 701 is
operationally
coupled to the first cycloidal disc 722 via the primary aperture 724 such that
the first cycloidal
disc 722 rotates as the primary shaft 701 rotates.
[0073] The one or more intermediate apertures 725 may be configured to receive
one of the
one or more intermediate shafts 715. Specifically, each of the one or more
intermediate
apertures 725 may receive the first lobe 716 of an intermediate shaft 715 such
that the first lobe
axis 717 is coaxial with an axis of the intermediate aperture 725. In various
embodiments, the
intermediate shaft 715 may be rotatably coupled to the first cycloidal disc
722 via the
intermediate aperture 725. The additional apertures 739 may be configured to
receive additional
intermediate shafts 715 as described above or may instead serve to reduce the
weight of the first
-23-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
cycloidal disc 722. According to an exemplary embodiment, the primary aperture
724 is located
at or proximate to a center point (i.e. center of gravity) of the first
cycloidal disc 722. The one or
more intermediate apertures 725 and one or more additional apertures 739 may
be located
radially around the center point of the first cycloidal disc 722 such that the
apertures 725, 739 are
not located at the center of gravity of the first cycloidal disc 722.
[0074] The plurality of lobes 723 may be disposed around a lateral surface
(i.e. an exterior,
perimeter surface) of the first cycloidal disc 722, as is shown in greater
detail in FIG. 31. Each
of the lobes 723 may have a generally curved, roulette shape. With the lobes
723 disposed
around the lateral surface of the first cycloidal disc 722, the first
cycloidal disc 722 may exhibit a
generally cycloidal shape, according to an exemplary embodiment. As is well
understood in the
geometric arts, a cycloidal shape corresponds to a fixed point of a "rolling
circle" that is traced as
the rolling circle rolls along a "base circle," according to an exemplary
embodiment.
Furthermore, the first cycloidal disc 722 (and thus the lobes 723) may be
formed as an ordinary
cycloidal disc (i.e. a simple cycloid) or a contracted cycloidal disc (i.e. a
prolate cycloid).
[0075] As noted above, the first stage cycloidal drive 720 also includes a
plurality of ring pins
726 and ring pin sleeves 727. Each of the plurality of ring pins 726 and ring
pin sleeves 727 may
be fixedly or rotatably coupled to the housing 721. The ring pins 726 may have
a generally
cylindrical shape and may be received by a cylindrical aperture formed through
the ring pin
sleeves 727 (i.e. the ring pins 726 ride within the ring pin sleeves 727). The
plurality of ring pins
726 and ring pin sleeves 727 may be arranged in a spaced-apart, circular, and
symmetric fashion
around the first cycloidal disc 722, but within the housing 721. In various
embodiments, the
lobes 723 of the first cycloidal disc 722 are configured to interact with the
ring pins 726 and ring
pin sleeves 727 as the first cycloidal disc 722 is rotated by the primary
shaft 701. However, as
noted above, the first cycloidal disc 722 is specifically coupled to the first
eccentric lobe 705 of
the primary shaft 701; when the primary shaft 701 rotates about the primary
axis 704, the first
cycloidal disc 722 rotates about the primary axis 704 in an eccentric fashion.
Therefore, the first
cycloidal disc 722 rotates about the primary axis 704 in an eccentric fashion,
thereby causing the
lobes 723 to move along a circular path of rotation forming a circle that is
greater in diameter
-24-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
than a diameter of the first cycloidal disc 722 itself. Because the first
cycloidal disc 722 is
configured to interact with the ring pins 726 and ring pin sleeves 727, the
ring pins 726 and the
ring pin sleeves 727 must be arranged in a circle that corresponds to the
eccentric path of rotation
of the first cycloidal disc 722. Accordingly, the ring pins 726 and ring pin
sleeves 727 may be
arranged symmetrically about a reference pitch circle 742 having a diameter
that is greater than a
diameter of the first cycloidal disc 722. Furthermore, the number of lobes 723
must be less than
the number of ring pins 726 so that the arrangement of ring pins 726 may form
a circle that is
greater in diameter than the first cycloidal disc 722 while still interacting
with the lobes 723 of
the first cycloidal disc 722, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0076] As the first cycloidal disc 722 rotates about the primary axis 704, a
portion of the first
cycloidal disc 722¨namely one or more (but not all) of the plurality of lobes
723¨contacts (i.e.
interacts with, meshes with, rides between, etc.) one or more of the plurality
of ring pins 726 and
sleeves 727. As shown in FIG. 31, a portion of the lobes 723, such as lobe
723(b), interact or
mesh with the ring pins 726 and sleeves 727, while a second portion of the
lobes 723, such as
lobe 723(a), do not interact or mesh with the ring pins 726 and sleeves 727.
Moreover, as the
first cycloidal disc 722 rotates about the primary axis 704, the lobe 723(a)
may interact or mesh
with the ring pins 726 and sleeves 727, while the lobe 723(b) does not,
according to an
exemplary embodiment. In other words, the first cycloidal disc 722 rotates
eccentrically along
the reference pitch circle 742 formed by the plurality of ring pins 726. As
the first cycloidal disc
722 rotates, the lobes 723 may ride around the ring pins 726 and ring pin
sleeves 727 and may be
periodically inserted into a space formed between adjacent ring pins 726 and
ring pin sleeves
727, as shown in FIG. 31. The interaction between the lobes 723 and the ring
pins 726 and
sleeves 727 is akin to meshing of gears, for example. Accordingly, the
rotation of the first
cycloidal disc 722 imparts a contact force and frictional force on the
plurality of ring pins 726
and the ring pin sleeves 727 via the lobes 723.
[0077] Because the first cycloidal disc 722 rotates eccentrically (i.e. does
not rotate about its
own center of gravity), the rotational motion of the first cycloidal disc 722
around its center of
gravity is opposite to the direction of rotation about the primary axis 704
(the axis about which
-25-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
the first cycloidal disc 722 does rotate). Therefore, the intermediate
apertures 725, will rotate in
a direction opposite the rotational direction of the primary shaft 701 about
the primary axis 704.
Therefore, the first stage cycloidal drive 720 creates a counter-rotating
force that is exerted by
the intermediate apertures 725, according to an exemplary embodiment. For
example, the
clockwise rotation of the primary shaft 701 produces a counter-clockwise
rotation of the
intermediate apertures 725.
[0078] The second stage cycloidal drive 728 may include an annulus 729, a
second cycloidal
disc 731, a plurality of ring pins 726, and a plurality of ring pin sleeves
727. Each of the second
cycloidal disc 731, the plurality of ring pins 735 and the plurality of ring
pin sleeves 736 may be
positioned within the annulus 729, according to an exemplary embodiment. The
annulus 729
may include an interior cavity that is configured to receive the second
cycloidal disc 731, the
plurality of ring pins 735, and the plurality of ring pin sleeves 736 and may
permit the second
cycloidal disc 731 to rotate about the primary axis 704, as is described in
detail below. As is
depicted in FIGS. 26 and 27, the annulus 729 may itself be housed within the
housing 721
described above with reference to the first stage cycloidal drive 720. The
annulus 729 may be
configured to rotate within the housing 721 about the primary axis 704, as is
discussed in further
detail below. Furthermore, the annulus 729 may include a coupling interface
730 configured to
directly or indirectly couple to one or more pivot arms 508, as is described
in greater detail
below. The coupling interface 730 may couple to the pivot arms 508 via shank-
style fasteners
that correspond to a plurality of apertures 741 formed within the coupling
interface 730, as is
shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, although alternative coupling methods or
arrangements may also be
used.
[0079] The second cycloidal disc 731, like the first cycloidal disc 722, may
include a plurality
of lobes 732, a primary aperture 733, one or more intermediate apertures 734,
and one or more
additional apertures 740. The primary aperture 733 may be configured to
receive and couple to
the primary shaft 701, namely the second eccentric lobe 707 of the primary
shaft 701.
Accordingly, the primary aperture 733 may have a diameter that is proximate to
a diameter of the
second eccentric lobe 707, although the diameter of the primary aperture 733
may be larger than
-26-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
the diameter of the second eccentric lobe 707 as to accommodate friction-
reducing elements
(e.g., roller bearings, thrust bearings, etc.). The first eccentric lobe axis
706 may be coaxial with
an axis of the primary aperture 724. In various embodiments, the second
eccentric lobe 707 of
the primary shaft 701 is operationally coupled to the second cycloidal disc
731 via the primary
aperture 733 such that the second cycloidal disc 731 rotates as the primary
shaft 701 rotates. In
various other embodiments, the primary shaft 701 may rotate freely within the
primary aperture
733 such that the rotation of the primary shaft 701 does not directly cause
the rotation of the
second cycloidal disc 731 via the primary aperture 733, although rotation of
the primary shaft
701 may still indirectly cause the rotation of the second cycloidal disc 731
via the intermediate
shafts 715 and/or the first cycloidal disc 722, as is discussed in further
detail below.
[0080] The one or more intermediate apertures 734 may be configured to receive
one of the
one or more intermediate shafts 715. Specifically, each of the one or more
intermediate
apertures 734 may receive the second lobe 718 of an intermediate shaft 715
such that the second
lobe axis 719 is coaxial with an axis of the intermediate aperture 734. In
various embodiments,
the intermediate shaft 715 may be rotatably coupled to the second cycloidal
disc 731 via the
intermediate aperture 734. The additional apertures 740 may be configured to
receive additional
intermediate shafts 715 as described above or may instead serve to reduce the
weight of the
second cycloidal disc 731. According to an exemplary embodiment, the primary
aperture 733 is
located at or proximate to a center point (i.e. center of gravity) of the
second cycloidal disc 731.
The one or more intermediate apertures 734 and one or more additional
apertures 740 may be
located radially around a center point of the second cycloidal disc 731 such
that the apertures
734, 740 are not located at the center of gravity of the second cycloidal disc
731.
[0081] The plurality of lobes 732 may be disposed around a lateral surface
(i.e. an exterior,
perimeter surface) of the second cycloidal disc 731, as is shown in greater
detail in FIG. 32.
Each of the lobes 732 may have a generally curved, roulette shape. With the
lobes 732 disposed
around the lateral surface of the second cycloidal disc 731, the second
cycloidal disc 731 may
exhibit a generally cycloidal shape, according to an exemplary embodiment. As
is well
understood in the geometric arts, a cycloidal shape corresponds to a fixed
point of a "rolling
-27-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
circle" that is traced as the rolling circle rolls along a "base circle,"
according to an exemplary
embodiment. Furthermore, the second cycloidal disc 731 (and thus the lobes
732) may be
formed as an ordinary cycloidal disc (i.e. a simple cycloid) or a contracted
cycloidal disc (i.e. a
prolate cycloid).
[0082] As noted above, the second stage cycloidal drive 728 also includes a
plurality of ring
pins 735 and ring pin sleeves 736. Each of the plurality of ring pins 735 and
ring pin sleeves 736
may be fixedly or rotatably coupled to the annulus 729. The ring pins 735 may
have a generally
cylindrical shape and may be received by a cylindrical aperture formed through
the ring pin
sleeves 736 (i.e. the ring pins 735 ride within the ring pin sleeves 736). The
plurality of ring pins
735 and ring pin sleeves 736 may be arranged in a spaced-apart, circular, and
symmetrical
fashion around the second cycloidal disc 731, but within the annulus 729 and
thus also within the
housing 721. In various embodiments, the lobes 732 of the second cycloidal
disc 731 are
configured to interact with the ring pins 735 and ring pin sleeves 736 as the
second cycloidal disc
731 is rotated. However, as noted above, the second cycloidal disc 731 is
specifically coupled to
the second eccentric lobe 707 of the primary shaft 701; when the primary shaft
701 rotates about
the primary axis 704, the second cycloidal disc 731 may rotate about the
primary axis 704 in an
eccentric fashion, as defined by the second eccentric lobe 707. Therefore, the
second cycloidal
disc 731 rotates about the primary axis 704 in an eccentric fashion, which
causes the lobes 732 to
move along a circular path of rotation forming a circle that is greater in
diameter than a diameter
of the second cycloidal disc 731 itself. Because the second cycloidal disc 731
is configured to
interact with the ring pins 735 and ring pin sleeves 736, the ring pins 735
and ring pin sleeves
736 must be arranged in a circle that corresponds to the eccentric path of
rotation of the second
cycloidal disc 731. Accordingly, the ring pins 735 and ring pin sleeves 736
may be arranged
symmetrically about a reference pitch circle 743 having a diameter that is
greater than a diameter
of the second cycloidal disc 731. Furthermore, the number of lobes 732 must be
less than the
number of ring pins 735 so that the arrangement of ring pins 735 may form a
circle that is greater
in diameter than the second cycloidal disc 731 while still interacting with
the lobes 732 of the
second cycloidal disc 731, according to an exemplary embodiment.
-28-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
[0083] As the second cycloidal disc 731 rotates about the primary axis 704, a
portion of the
second cycloidal disc 731¨namely one or more (but not all) of the plurality of
lobes 732¨
contacts (i.e. interacts with, meshes, rides between) one or more of the
plurality of ring pins 735
and ring pin sleeves 736. As is shown in FIG. 32, a portion of the lobes 732,
such as lobe 732(b)
interact or mesh with the ring pins 735 and sleeves 736 at a point in time,
while a second portion
of lobes 732, such as lobe 732(a) do not interact with the ring pins 735 and
sleeves 736.
Moreover, as the second cycloidal disc 731 rotates about the primary axis 704,
the lobe 732(a)
may interact or mesh with the ring pins 735 and sleeves 736 while lobe 732(b)
does not interact
with the ring pins 735 and sleeves 736, according to an exemplary embodiment.
In other words,
the second cycloidal disc 731 rotates eccentrically along the reference pitch
circle 743 formed by
the plurality of ring pins 735. As the second cycloidal disc 731 rotates, the
lobes 732 may ride
around the ring pins 726 and ring pin sleeves 727 and may be periodically
inserted into a space
formed by adjacent ring pins 726 and ring pin sleeves 727, as shown in FIG.
32.
[0084] The interaction between the lobes 732 and the ring pins 735 and sleeves
736 is akin to
meshing of gears, for example. Accordingly, the rotation of the second
cycloidal disc 731 causes
a contact force and a frictional force to be imparted on the plurality of ring
pins 735 and the ring
pin sleeves 736 via the lobes 732. The contact force and frictional force may
further cause the
annulus 729 to rotate within the housing 721. More specifically, the forces
imparted on the ring
pins 735 and sleeves 736 may be transferred to the annulus 729, which is
rotatably or fixedly
coupled to the ring pins 735 and sleeves 736, according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0085] As noted above, the annulus 729 may include a coupling interface 730
that is
configured to facilitate coupling of the annulus 729 to the pivot arms 508,
according to an
exemplary embodiment. In some embodiments, the coupling interface 730 may
directly couple
to a pivot arm 508 (i.e. no intervening components positioned between the
pivot arm 508 and the
coupling interface 730). In other embodiments, the coupling interface 730 may
indirectly couple
to a pivot arm 508 (i.e. via some other intervening components). When coupled
to the annulus
729 via the coupling interface 730, the pivot arm(s) 508 may rotate with the
annulus 729. The
rotation of the pivot arm(s) 508 in turn causes the tipper implement 506 and
the refuse container
-29-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
60 to rotate about pivot axis 502, to facilitate dumping the contents within
the refuse container
60 (e.g., trash, recyclables, etc.) into the refuse compartment 30 through the
hopper opening 35
in the tailgate 34 of the refuse vehicle 10. In other words, the rotation of
the shaft 701 about the
primary axis 704 causes the pivot arm(s) 508 to rotate to dump refuse into the
refuse
compatiment 30.
[0086] While the first cycloidal disc 722 and the second cycloidal disc 731
are shown in FIGS.
26-32 and described above as interacting with each other via the intermediate
shafts 715, it
should be understood that other configurations are possible. For example, in
some embodiments,
the first cycloidal disc 722 may be directly coupled to the second cycloidal
disc 731 such that
rotation of the first cycloidal disc 722 causes the same rotation of the
second cycloidal disc 731.
Put another way, the first cycloidal disc 722 and the second cycloidal disc
731 may not interact
via one or more intermediate shafts 715 (i.e. rotatable shafts) but may
instead be fixedly coupled
together so that the discs 722, 731 do not rotate with respect to each other.
Such a configuration
does not require the use of intermediate shafts 715 as herein described.
[0087] As depicted in FIGS. 31 and 32, the first cycloidal disc 722 and the
second cycloidal
disc 731 may exhibit a 180 degree displacement relative to the primary axis.
As noted above, the
first cycloidal disc 722 may rotate about the first eccentric lobe axis 706,
while the second
cycloidal disc 731 may rotate about the second eccentric lobe axis 708. Both
the first eccentric
lobe axis 706 and the second eccentric lobe axis 708 may be spaced apart from,
but parallel to,
the primary axis 704. According to an exemplary embodiment, the first
eccentric lobe axis 706
may be spaced apart from the primary axis 704 in a first direction, while the
second eccentric
lobe axis 708 is spaced apart from the primary axis 704 in a second direction.
The second
direction may be diametrically opposed to the first direction such that the
first eccentric lobe
axis 706 is positioned 180 degrees from the second eccentric lobe axis 708, as
is depicted in
FIGS. 31 and 32. Furthermore, the first eccentric lobe axis 706 may be spaced
apart from the
primary axis 704 at a first distance that corresponds to a diameter of the
first cycloidal disc 722
and a diameter of reference pitch circle 742, while the second eccentric lobe
axis 708 may be
spaced apart from the primary axis 704 at a second distance that corresponds
to a diameter of the
-30-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
second cycloidal disc 731 and reference pitch diameter 743. Accordingly, it is
possible for the
diameter of the first cycloidal disc 722 and the diameter of the second
cycloidal disc 731 to vary
such that the diameter of the first cycloidal disc 722 may be greater than,
equal to, or less than
the diameter of the second cycloidal disc 731.
[0088] The cycloidal drive transmission device 700 may further include a
plurality of friction-
reducing elements 737 to facilitate the rotation of various components with
respect to each other.
More specifically, the friction-reducing elements 737 may be included to
minimize or eliminate
friction forces that may exist as two components rotate relative to and in
close proximity to each
other. The friction-reducing elements 737 may be roller bearings, ball
bearings, or similar
devices. For example, as shown in FIG. 26, the output end 703 of the primary
shaft 701 may
interact with a friction-reducing element 737 so that the output end 703 may
rotate in a
substantially free fashion. Likewise, friction-reducing elements 737 may be
used to facilitate the
rotation of the annulus 729 relative to the housing 721, according to an
exemplary embodiment.
In various other embodiments, more or fewer friction-reducing elements 737 may
be used.
[0089] At a high level, the cycloidal drive transmission device 700 operates
as a speed
reduction device configured to reduce the rotational speed of an input
rotational force. More
specifically, the cycloidal drive transmission device 700 is configured to
receive an input
rotational force having an input rotational force direction from the input end
702 of the primary
shaft 701. Rotation of the primary shaft 701 causes the first cycloidal disc
722 to rotate
eccentrically about the primary axis 704 via the first eccentric lobe 705. The
eccentric rotation
of the first cycloidal disc 722 causes the counter-rotation of the
intermediate shafts 715. The
rotation of the intermediate shafts 715 and the rotation of the second
eccentric lobe 707 of the
primary shaft 701 causes the rotation of the second cycloidal disc 731.
According to an
exemplary embodiment, the eccentric rotation of the second cycloidal disc 731
about the primary
axis 704 causes the second cycloidal disc 731 to counter-rotate relative to
the input rotational
force direction. The rotation of the second cycloidal disc 731 causes the
lobes 732 of the second
cycloidal disc 731 to interact with and impart contact and/or frictional
forces on the ring pins 735
and sleeves 736. The force applied to the ring pins 735 and sleeves 736 is in
turn transferred to
-31-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
the annulus 729, which then rotates in the same direction as the input
rotational force direction
by virtue of the eccentric rotation of the second cycloidal disc 731. The
rotation of the annulus
729 then causes the rotation of the pivot arm(s) 508, according to an
exemplary embodiment.
Furthermore, the eccentric rotation of the cycloidal discs 722, 731 will
result in a reduced output
rotational speed relative to the input rotational force. As a result, the
output rotational force
applied to the pivot arms 508 will exhibit a reduced speed relative to the
input rotational force
supplied by the pivot actuator 320. In various other embodiments, the
cycloidal drive
transmission device 700 may provide an output force via a pin disc rather than
an annulus. More
specifically, the pin disc may have a central shaft protruding in a first
direction from a plate-like
structure and a plurality of intermediate pins protruding in a second
direction from the plate-like
structure. The intermediate pins may be received by the intermediate apertures
725 and may
cause the pin disc to rotate as the first cycloidal disc 722 rotates, thereby
providing an output via
the central shaft, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0090] In various embodiments, the rotation of the primary shaft 701 in a
first direction will
cause the rotation of the pivot arm(s) 508 in the first direction, while
various other components
of the cycloidal drive transmission device 700 may rotate in a second
direction that is opposite
the first direction. However, in various other embodiments, the rotation of
the primary shaft 701
in the first direction may instead cause the rotation of the pivot arm 508 in
the second direction.
[0091] Furthermore, the cycloidal drive transmission device 700 described
herein may be
configured with a varying number of ring pins 726, 735, sleeves 727, 736, and
lobes 723, 732 so
as to alter a speed reduction ratio of the cycloidal drive transmission device
700. Similarly, the
ring pins 726, 735 and sleeves 727, 736 may be arranged along a reference
pitch circle 742, 743
having a varying diameters correspond to cycloidal discs 722, 731 of similarly
varying diameters
in order to alter the speed reduction ratio of the cycloidal drive
transmission device 700.
Relatedly, the position of the intermediate apertures 725, 734 relative to the
primary apertures
724, 733 and/or a diameter of the intermediate apertures 725, 734 and
intermediate shaft lobes
716, 718 may be varied in order to alter the speed reduction ratio of the
cycloidal drive
transmission device 700. In various other embodiments, other components of the
cycloidal drive
-32-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
transmission device 700 may be altered in order to affect the speed reduction
ratio of the
cycloidal drive transmission device 700.
[0092] As utilized herein, the terms "approximately," "about,"
"substantially", and similar
terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and
accepted usage by
those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this
disclosure pertains. It should
be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that
these terms are intended
to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without
restricting the scope of
these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these
terms should be
interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications
or alterations of the
subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of
the disclosure as
recited in the appended claims.
[0093] It should be noted that the term "exemplary" and variations thereof, as
used herein to
describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments
are possible
examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such
terms are not
intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or
superlative
examples).
[0094] The term "coupled" and variations thereof, as used herein, means the
joining of two
members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary
(e.g., permanent
or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be
achieved with the
two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to
each other using a
separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled
with one
another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening
member that is
integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If
"coupled" or
variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly
coupled), the generic
definition of "coupled" provided above is modified by the plain language
meaning of the
additional term (e.g., "directly coupled" means the joining of two members
without any separate
-33-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic
definition of "coupled"
provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.
[0095] References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., "top," "bottom,"
"above," "below")
are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the
FIGURES. It should be
noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other
exemplary
embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the
present disclosure.
[0096] The hardware and data processing components used to implement the
various
processes, operations, illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules and
circuits described in
connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or
performed with a
general purpose single- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor
(DSP), an application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or
other
programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete
hardware components, or
any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A
general purpose
processor may be a microprocessor, or, any conventional processor, controller,
microcontroller,
or state machine. A processor also may be implemented as a combination of
computing devices,
such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of
microprocessors, one or
more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such
configuration. In some
embodiments, particular processes and methods may be performed by circuitry
that is specific to
a given function. The memory (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device) may
include one or
more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage) for storing
data and/or
computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and
modules described
in the present disclosure. The memory may be or include volatile memory or non-
volatile
memory, and may include database components, object code components, script
components, or
any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities
and information
structures described in the present disclosure. According to an exemplary
embodiment, the
memory is communicably connected to the processor via a processing circuit and
includes
computer code for executing (e.g., by the processing circuit or the processor)
the one or more
processes described herein.
-34-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
[0097] The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program
products on any
machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments
of the present
disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a
special purpose
computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another
purpose, or by a
hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure
include program
products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-
executable
instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media
can be any available
media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or
other machine
with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise
RAM, ROM,
EPROM, EEPROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other
magnetic
storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store
desired program code
in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which
can be accessed by a
general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor.
Combinations
of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media.
Machine-executable
instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general
purpose computer,
special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a
certain function
or group of functions.
[0098] Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of
method steps, the
order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless
specified differently
above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial
concurrence,
unless specified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, on
the software and
hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within
the scope of the
disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the described methods could
be
accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and
other logic to
accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps,
and decision steps.
[0099] It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the
refuse vehicle 10
and the systems and components thereof as shown in the various exemplary
embodiments is
illustrative only. Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment may
be incorporated or
-35-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein. Although only one example
of an element
from one embodiment that can be incorporated or utilized in another embodiment
has been
described above, it should be appreciated that other elements of the various
embodiments may be
incorporated or utilized with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.
-36-
8227373
Date recue/Date received 2023-02-24
