JP7774121B2 - garbage collection truck - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a garbage collection vehicle.

Typically, a refuse collection vehicle is equipped with a refuse collection box mounted on the vehicle body, a refuse drop box attached to the rear end of the refuse collection box, a loading device that loads refuse placed in the refuse drop box into the refuse collection box, and a control unit that controls the operation of the loading device. In an emergency, the control unit stops the operation of the loading device when a predetermined signal is input or cut off from a human detection device, emergency stop switch, etc. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-199343

Emergency stop switches and other devices are used in emergencies and are therefore used infrequently. For this reason, even if an emergency stop switch or other device malfunctions, workers may not notice the malfunction.

The present invention was made in light of these circumstances, and aims to provide a garbage collection vehicle that allows for early detection of malfunctions in emergency stop switches, etc.

(1) The garbage collection vehicle of the present invention comprises a garbage collection box, a garbage drop box provided at the rear end of the garbage collection box and into which garbage is dropped, a loading device that loads the garbage dropped into the garbage drop box into the garbage collection box, and a control unit that starts operation of the loading device when a predetermined first signal is input, and stops operation of the loading device when a predetermined second signal is input or interrupted while the loading device is operating, and when the control unit is activated, performs inspection control to confirm whether the second signal is input or interrupted normally.

According to the present invention, if the second signal is input or cut off when the emergency stop switch is operated, for example, inspection control is performed when the control unit is started to check whether the second signal is input or cut off normally, allowing the operator to discover a malfunction in the emergency stop switch early.

(2) It is preferable that the control unit executes the inspection control when the control unit is activated and a predetermined condition is satisfied.
In this case, by appropriately setting the conditions, inspection control can be performed at an appropriate timing.

(3) The condition is preferably at least one of a date and a time.
The longer the time that has passed since the loading device was stopped, the higher the possibility that the second signal will not be input or cut off normally. Therefore, by setting the above conditions to a date (for example, a date on or after the calendar day after the main switch of the loading device was last turned off) or time (for example, morning time) when a relatively long time has passed since the loading device was stopped, inspection control can be performed at a more appropriate time.

(4) The condition may be the time that has elapsed since the ignition switch of the refuse collection vehicle or the main switch of the loading device was last turned off.
The longer the time that has passed since the ignition switch or main switch was last turned off, the greater the possibility that the second signal will not be input or cut off normally. Therefore, by setting the time that has passed since the ignition switch or the like was last turned off as the condition, inspection control can be performed at a more appropriate time.

(5) In the inspection control, it is preferable that the control unit does not accept input of the first signal until it is confirmed that the second signal is normally input or interrupted.
In this case, the loading device can be prevented from operating until it is confirmed in the inspection control that the second signal has been input or cut off normally.

(6) When the control unit confirms that the second signal is normally input or interrupted during the inspection control, it is preferable that the control unit outputs a notification command to notify the same.
In this case, the operator can be quickly notified that the second signal has been normally input or cut off during inspection control.

(7) The garbage collection vehicle further includes an emergency stop switch that is operated to output or cut off the second signal, and the control unit preferably outputs a first notification command during the inspection control to prompt the operator to operate the emergency stop switch.
In this case, by prompting the worker to operate the emergency stop switch, inspection control can be carried out quickly.

(8) In the inspection control, if the second signal is not input or blocked for a predetermined time or more after the first notification command is output, the control unit preferably outputs a second notification command to notify that fact.
In this case, if the worker receives the notification by the second notification command without operating the emergency stop switch, the worker can understand that he/she forgot to operate the emergency stop switch. Also, if the worker receives the notification by the second notification command despite operating the emergency stop switch, the worker can understand that the emergency stop switch is malfunctioning.

The garbage collection vehicle of the present invention allows for early detection of malfunctions in emergency stop switches, etc.

1 is a side cross-sectional view of a refuse collection vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 1 is a hydraulic circuit diagram of a garbage collection vehicle. FIG. 2 is a front view of a switch box in the driver's cab. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of a garbage collection vehicle. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of inspection control executed by a control unit. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of first inspection control executed by a control unit.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Overall configuration]
Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a refuse collection vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 1, the refuse collection vehicle 1 is equipped with a refuse collection box 2 mounted on a vehicle body 1b behind a driver's cab 1a, and a refuse drop box 3 provided at the rear end of the refuse collection box 2. An opening 2a is formed in the rear surface of the refuse collection box 2 for loading refuse into the refuse collection box 2. The refuse drop box 3 has an opening 3a at its rear through which refuse is dropped, and a cover member 3b for opening and closing the opening 3a.

The garbage dump box 3 can rotate up and down around a fulcrum 3d located at the top, allowing the opening 2a of the garbage collection box 2 to be opened and closed. Specifically, the garbage dump box 3 rotates between a downward rotation position (position shown by the solid line in Figure 1) in which the opening 2a of the garbage collection box 2 is closed, and an upward rotation position (position shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 1) in which the opening 2a can be opened by rotating upward to allow garbage to be discharged.

The garbage collection vehicle 1 is equipped with a loading device 4 attached to the garbage bin 3. The loading device 4 loads garbage dropped into the garbage bin 3 through the drop opening 3a into the garbage storage box 2. In this embodiment, the loading device 4 is a press-type device that includes a compression stroke when loading garbage. The loading device 4 has a slider 5 and a push plate 7 that is rotatably attached to the lower end of the slider 5 via a pin 6. The slider 5 can move along guide rails 8 attached to the left and right side walls 3c of the garbage bin 3. Push cylinders 11 are attached between the slider 5 and the side walls 3c on both the left and right sides of the garbage bin 3. Furthermore, press cylinders 12 are attached between the push plate 7 and the slider 5. In this embodiment, the push cylinders 11 and press cylinders 12 constitute a loading drive device 10.

The loading device 4 operates as follows. First, the press cylinder 12 is retracted to rotate the pusher plate 7 counterclockwise from the original position shown by the solid lines in Figure 1, thereby inverting the pusher plate 7 (inversion process). Next, the push cylinder 11 is retracted to lower both the slider 5 and the pusher plate 7 diagonally backward, causing the pusher plate 7 to compress the garbage introduced through the inlet 3a (primary compression process). Then, the press cylinder 12 is extended to rotate the pusher plate 7 clockwise, thereby performing a secondary compression of the garbage (secondary compression process).

Next, from the state shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 1, the push cylinder 11 is extended to raise the slider 5 and pusher plate 7 diagonally forward to the state shown by the solid line in Figure 1, and the secondary compressed garbage is pushed into the garbage storage box 2 (pushing process). In this way, the loading device 4 can load the garbage thrown into the garbage drop box 3 into the garbage storage box 2 through a loading process cycle consisting of the reversing process, primary compression process, secondary compression process, and pushing process.

A discharge plate 18 is provided inside the garbage collection box 2 so that it can move back and forth. A telescopic discharge cylinder (discharge drive device) 19 is connected to the discharge plate 18. The discharge plate 18 can be moved between the rearmost position shown by the solid line in Figure 1 and the frontmost position shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 1 by the extension and retraction drive of the discharge cylinder 19.

When the trash collection box 2 is empty, the discharge plate 18 is in its rearmost position, and trash loaded into the trash collection box 2 by the pusher plate 7 is compressed between the pusher plate 7 and the discharge plate 18. The discharge cylinder 19 is then gradually contracted to move the discharge plate 18 forward. Furthermore, with the trash drop box 3 in the upper pivot position, the discharge cylinder 19 can be extended to move the discharge plate 18 rearward, allowing the trash stored in the trash collection box 2 to be discharged to the outside through the opening 2a.

Figure 2 is a rear view of the garbage collection vehicle 1. The garbage collection vehicle 1 is equipped with a swing cylinder (drop-in box drive device) 20 that rotates the garbage drop box up and down relative to the garbage collection box 2. The swing cylinders 20 are located on both the left and right sides of the garbage drop box 3. One end of the swing cylinder 20 is attached to the garbage collection box 2, and the other end of the swing cylinder 20 is attached to the garbage drop box 3. When the swing cylinder 20 is extended, the garbage drop box 3 rotates upward, and when the swing cylinder 20 is retracted, the garbage drop box 3 rotates downward.

[Hydraulic circuit]
3 is a hydraulic circuit diagram relating to the push cylinder 11, press cylinder 12, discharge cylinder 19, and swing cylinder 20. This hydraulic circuit is configured by connecting an oil tank 21, a hydraulic pump 22, pressure control valves 23a to 23f, a push cylinder electromagnetic switching valve 24, a press cylinder electromagnetic switching valve 25, a discharge cylinder electromagnetic switching valve 26, a swing cylinder electromagnetic switching valve (which also serves as a tailgate lock solenoid valve) 27, switching valves 28a to 28b, check valves 29a to 29g, filters 30a to 30b, and a tailgate lock (cylinder) 31 as shown in the figure.

The hydraulic pump 22 discharges hydraulic oil to drive the push cylinder 11 and press cylinder 12, thereby operating the loading device 4. The hydraulic pump 22 also discharges hydraulic oil to drive the discharge cylinder 19, thereby moving the discharge plate 18 back and forth. The hydraulic pump 22 also discharges hydraulic oil to drive the swing cylinder 20, thereby rotating the garbage bin 3 up and down.

When the solenoid 25s of the press cylinder electromagnetic directional control valve 25 is energized, the press cylinder 12 is driven to contract (reverse operation). When the solenoid 25e of the press cylinder electromagnetic directional control valve 25 is energized, the press cylinder 12 is driven to extend (secondary compression operation). When the solenoid 24s of the push cylinder electromagnetic directional control valve 24 is energized, the push cylinder 11 is driven to contract (primary compression operation). When the solenoid 24e of the push cylinder electromagnetic directional control valve 24 is energized, the push cylinder 11 is driven to extend (pushing operation).

When the solenoid 26e of the discharge cylinder electromagnetic switching valve 26 is excited, the discharge cylinder 19 extends. When the solenoid 26s of the discharge cylinder electromagnetic switching valve 26 is excited, the discharge cylinder 19 retracts.

When the solenoid 27e of the swing cylinder electromagnetic switching valve 27 is energized, the tailgate lock 31 operates in the unlocking direction, causing the swing cylinder 20 to extend and the garbage bin 3 to rotate upward. When the solenoid 27e of the swing cylinder electromagnetic switching valve 27 is de-energized and the switching valve 28b is energized, the swing cylinder 20 is retracted and the garbage bin 3 rotates downward. After the garbage bin 3 reaches the downward rotation position, when the solenoid 27s of the swing cylinder electromagnetic switching valve 27 is energized, the tailgate lock 31 operates to lock and the garbage bin 3 is locked.

[Switch box]
4 is a front view showing a switch box SB1 provided in the operator's cab 1a. The switch box SB1 is provided with a main switch 33, an open/close switch 34, a discharge switch 35, a scraping switch 36, a PTO selector switch 37, a main lamp 38, and a lock lamp 39. The switches 33 to 37 and the lamps 38 and 39 are connected to a control unit 50 (see FIG. 5).

The main switch 33 is a switch that can be switched to one of the "LOAD," "OFF," and "DISCHARGE" positions, and is, for example, an alternate toggle switch. When the main switch 33 is "OFF," the drive of the push cylinder 11, press cylinder 12, discharge cylinder 19, and swing cylinder 20 is restricted.

When the main switch 33 is switched from "OFF" to "LOADING," the push cylinder 11 and press cylinder 12 are allowed to operate. When the main switch 33 is switched from "OFF" to "DISCHARGE," the discharge cylinder 19 and swing cylinder 20 are allowed to operate.

The open/close switch 34 is operated to rotate the garbage bin 3 up and down. In this embodiment, the open/close switch 34 is a switch that can be switched to one of the "up," "off," and "down" positions, and is, for example, a momentary toggle switch. When the open/close switch 34 switches from "off" to "up," the swing cylinder 20 extends, causing the garbage bin 3 to rotate upward. When the open/close switch 34 switches from "off" to "down," the swing cylinder 20 contracts, causing the garbage bin 3 to rotate downward.

The discharge switch 35 is a switch that is operated to move the discharge plate 18 back and forth. In this embodiment, the discharge switch 35 is a switch that is switched to one of the "discharge," "OFF," and "return" positions, and is, for example, a momentary toggle switch. When the discharge switch 35 is switched from "OFF" to "discharge," the discharge cylinder 19 is extended, and the discharge plate 18 moves backward. When the discharge switch 35 is switched from "OFF" to "return," the discharge cylinder 19 is retracted, and the discharge plate 18 moves forward.

The scraping switch 36 is a switch that can be switched to one of the "automatic," "off," and "manual" positions, and is, for example, a toggle switch that combines an alternate type and a momentary type. The "automatic" side of the scraping switch 36 is an alternate contact, and the "manual" side of the scraping switch 36 is a momentary contact.

When the sweeping switch 36 is switched to "automatic," the loading device 4 will automatically perform one loading process cycle when the garbage bin 3 is rotated to the upper rotation position by operating the opening/closing switch 34. This allows any garbage remaining in the garbage bin 3 to be removed. When the sweeping switch 36 is switched to "off" and the garbage bin 3 is rotated to the upper rotation position by operating the opening/closing switch 34, the loading device 4 will perform one loading process cycle when the sweeping switch 36 is switched to "manual." This allows any garbage remaining in the garbage bin 3 to be removed.

The PTO selector switch 37 is a switch that can be switched to either the "Work" or "End" position, and is formed, for example, by a rocker switch. When the PTO selector switch 37 is switched to "Work," the garbage collection vehicle 1's driving engine (not shown) and the hydraulic pump 22 are connected via the PTO. This allows the hydraulic pump 22 to be driven. When the PTO selector switch 37 is switched to "End," the connection between the driving engine and the hydraulic pump 22 via the PTO is cut. This restricts the driving of the hydraulic pump 22 and enables the garbage collection vehicle 1 to drive.

The main lamp 38 lights up when each switch on the switch box SB1 can be operated. The lock lamp 39 lights up when the tailgate lock 31 is locked.

In Figure 2, switch boxes SB2 and SB3 are provided at the rear of the left and right side walls 3c of the garbage bin 3. The left switch box SB2 is provided with a changeover switch 41, a loading switch 42, and a first emergency stop switch (emergency stop switch) 43. Each of the switches 41 to 43 of the switch box SB2 is connected to the control unit 50.

The selector switch 41 is a switch for selecting either a continuous operation mode in which the loading device 4 repeats a loading process cycle, or a standalone operation mode in which the loading device 4 executes the loading process cycle only once (one cycle). In this embodiment, the selector switch 41 is, for example, an alternate toggle switch that can be switched between the "continuous" position, which is the continuous operation mode, and the "single" position, which is the standalone operation mode.

The loading switch 42 is a switch that outputs a first signal to the control unit 50 to start operation of the loading device 4 in each operating mode, and is, for example, a momentary push button switch. When the loading switch 42 is turned on, the first signal is input to the control unit 50, causing the push cylinder 11 and press cylinder 12 to extend and retract, and a loading process cycle is executed by the slider 5 and push plate 7.

The first emergency stop switch 43 is a switch that is operated to stop the operation of the loading device 4, and is, for example, a momentary push button switch. In this embodiment, the first emergency stop switch 43 is, for example, a B-contact type that outputs a second signal to the control unit 50 when in the OFF state and blocks the output of the second signal when turned ON. When the first emergency stop switch 43 is turned ON, the input of the second signal to the control unit 50 is blocked, thereby stopping the extension and retraction drive of the push cylinder 11 and press cylinder 12.

The right-side switch box SB3 is provided with a second emergency stop switch (emergency stop switch) 44 connected to the control unit 50. Like the first emergency stop switch 43, the second emergency stop switch 44 is a switch that is operated to stop the operation of the loading device 4, and is, for example, a momentary push button switch. In this embodiment, the second emergency stop switch 44 is, for example, a B-contact type that outputs a second signal to the control unit 50 when in the OFF state and cuts off the output of the second signal when turned ON.

A third emergency stop switch (emergency stop switch) 45 connected to the control unit 50 is provided below the input port 3a at the rear of the garbage bin 3. Like the first emergency stop switch 43, the third emergency stop switch 45 is a switch that is operated to stop the operation of the loading device 4. The third emergency stop switch 45 has a switch body (not shown) that is, for example, a momentary push button switch, and an operation plate 45a that operates the switch body to turn on and off. The switch body is, for example, a B-contact type, and outputs a second signal to the control unit 50 when in the off state, and blocks the output of the second signal when turned on. The operation plate 45a is formed to extend in the vehicle width direction.

[Control configuration]
Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the refuse collection vehicle 1. The refuse collection vehicle 1 is equipped with a control unit 50 that controls the operations of the loading device 4, the discharge plate 18, and the refuse bin 3. The control unit 50 is a microcomputer made up of a CPU, memory, etc. The control unit 50 is activated by receiving power from an on-board battery or the like when the ignition switch 9 of the refuse collection vehicle 1 is turned on.

The control unit 50 receives or blocks operation signals from the switches 33-37 of switch box SB1, the switches 41-43 of switch box SB2, the second emergency stop switch 44 of switch box SB3, and the third emergency stop switch 45.

The control unit 50 controls the switching of the push cylinder electromagnetic switching valve 24 and the press cylinder electromagnetic switching valve 25 based on the input of an operation signal (first signal) from the loading switch 42. This allows the control unit 50 to control the extension and retraction drive of the push cylinder 11 and the press cylinder 12 (the operation of the loading device 4).

When the input of the operation signal (second signal) from any of the first to third emergency stop switches 43-45 is interrupted while the loading device 4 is operating, the control unit 50 controls the push cylinder electromagnetic switching valve 24 and the press cylinder electromagnetic switching valve 25 to switch, respectively, and stops the extension and retraction drive of the push cylinder 11 and the press cylinder 12 (operation of the loading device 4).

The control unit 50 controls the switching of the swing cylinder electromagnetic switching valve 27 based on the input of an operation signal from the open/close switch 34. This allows the control unit 50 to control the extension and retraction of the swing cylinder 20 (the up and down rotation of the garbage bin 3).

The control unit 50 controls the switching of the discharge cylinder electromagnetic switching valve 26 based on the input of an operation signal from the discharge switch 35. As a result, the extension and retraction drive of the discharge cylinder 19 (the forward and backward movement of the discharge plate 18) is controlled by the control unit 50.
The control unit 50 controls the turning on and off of the main lamp 38 and the lock lamp 39 .

An alarm 40 is connected to the control unit 50. The alarm 40 issues an audio alert to the worker while the inspection control described below is being performed. The alarm 40 is located near the inlet 3a of the garbage bin 3 (e.g., on the switch box SB2). The control unit 50 controls the audio alert from the alarm 40.

A communication unit 60 that transmits predetermined information to the outside is connected to the control unit 50. The communication unit 60 has the function of wirelessly transmitting and receiving predetermined information to and from a management device (not shown) that remotely manages the operation of the refuse collection vehicle 1 via a network. When the communication unit 60 receives a transmission command from the control unit 50 to the management device, it wirelessly transmits the predetermined information to the management device.

When the control unit 50 is started, it performs inspection control to check whether the first to third emergency stop switches 43-45 are operating normally. Specifically, during inspection control, the control unit 50 checks whether the second signal is interrupted normally when each of the first to third emergency stop switches 43-45 is turned on. The inspection control in this embodiment includes a first inspection control for the first emergency stop switch 43, a second inspection control for the second emergency stop switch 44, and a third inspection control for the third emergency stop switch 45. The control unit 50 has a built-in timer 51 used in the inspection control.

[Inspection control]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of inspection control performed by the control unit 50. Here, the explanation begins from the point in time when the control unit 50 is activated. When the control unit 50 is activated, it first determines whether a predetermined condition is met (step ST1). The condition is preferably set so that the inspection control is performed at an appropriate timing. Specifically, the condition may be a date (e.g., a date on or after the calendar day following the last time the ignition switch 9 or the main switch 33 was turned off), a time (e.g., 8:00 a.m. every morning), or the elapsed time since the last time the ignition switch 9 or the main switch 33 was turned off (e.g., 8 hours). The condition may also be a combination of a date and a time (e.g., 8:00 a.m. on or after the day following the last time the ignition switch 9 or the main switch 33 was turned off).

If the above conditions are not met (No in step ST1), the control unit 50 terminates the process without executing inspection control. On the other hand, if the above conditions are met (Yes in step ST1), the control unit 50 executes inspection control (step ST2). During inspection control, the processes of steps ST3 to ST7 are performed in order.

During inspection control, the control unit 50 first prohibits operation of the switches that initiate the operation of the loading device 4, garbage bin 3, and discharge plate 18 (step ST3). Specifically, the control unit 50 does not accept input of operation signals from the open/close switch 34, discharge switch 35, scraping switch 36, and loading switch 42. When the control unit 50 "does not accept input of operation signals," this does not only mean blocking input of operation signals to the control unit 50, but also includes the case where the control unit 50 restricts output of command signals corresponding to operation signals even when an operation signal is input to the control unit 50.

Next, the control unit 50 executes a first inspection control to check whether the first emergency stop switch 43 operates normally (step ST4). Details of the first inspection control will be described later. After the first inspection control ends, the control unit 50 executes a second inspection control to check whether the second emergency stop switch 44 operates normally (step ST5). After the second inspection control ends, the control unit 50 executes a third inspection control to check whether the third emergency stop switch 45 operates normally (step ST6).

When the third inspection control is completed, the control unit 50 permits operation of the switches that initiate the operation of the garbage bin 3, loading device 4, and discharge plate 18 (step ST7), and then terminates the process. Specifically, the control unit 50 accepts input of operation signals from the open/close switch 34, discharge switch 35, scraping switch 36, and loading switch 42.

As a result, in the inspection control of this embodiment, the control unit 50 will not accept input of any operation signals from the switches 33, 35, 36, and 42 until all of the first through third inspection controls have been completed (as will be described later, until it has been confirmed that all of the first through third emergency stop switches 43-45 are operating normally).

Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the first inspection control executed by the control unit 50. The control unit 50 first outputs a first notification command to the alarm 40 to prompt the operator to turn on the first emergency stop switch 43 (step ST11). The control unit 50 then starts counting the timer 51 from the point in time when the first notification command is output (step ST12). Based on the first notification command, the alarm 40 issues a voice notification prompting the operator to turn on the first emergency stop switch 43. This prompts the operator to turn on the first emergency stop switch 43.

Next, the control unit 50 checks whether the first emergency stop switch 43 is operating normally (step ST13). Specifically, the control unit 50 checks whether the second signal output from the first emergency stop switch 43 was normally interrupted when the first emergency stop switch 43 was turned on.

If the second signal from the first emergency stop switch 43 has been successfully interrupted (Yes in step ST13), the control unit 50 outputs a notification command to the alarm 40 to notify that fact (step ST14). Based on the notification command, the alarm 40 issues an audio notification indicating that the first emergency stop switch 43 is operating normally. This allows the operator to understand that the first emergency stop switch 43 is operating normally. After outputting the notification command, the control unit 50 stops and resets the timer 51 (step ST15), and ends the first inspection control process.

On the other hand, if the second signal from the first emergency stop switch 43 is not normally interrupted (No in step ST13), the control unit 50 determines whether the count time of the timer 51, i.e., the elapsed time since the first notification command was output, is equal to or greater than a predetermined time (step ST16). If the elapsed time is not equal to or greater than the predetermined time (No in step ST16), the control unit 50 returns to the determination in step ST13.

If the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the predetermined time (Yes in step ST16), the control unit 50 outputs a second notification command to notify that the second signal from the first emergency stop switch 43 has not been interrupted (step ST17). Based on the second notification command, the alarm 40 issues an audio notification indicating that the second signal from the first emergency stop switch 43 has not been interrupted.

If an operator receives a notification by the second notification command without operating the first emergency stop switch 43, the operator can understand that he or she forgot to operate the first emergency stop switch 43. Furthermore, if an operator receives a notification by the second notification command even though he or she has operated the first emergency stop switch 43, the operator can understand that the first emergency stop switch 43 is malfunctioning.

After outputting the second notification command, the control unit 50 outputs a transmission command to the communication unit 60 to transmit information indicating that the worker has not operated the first emergency stop switch 43 during inspection control (step ST18). Based on the transmission command, the communication unit 60 wirelessly transmits the information to the management device. This allows the operator of the management device to understand the status of inspection control at the site. The operator of the management device can also instruct the worker to operate the first emergency stop switch 43 via the communication unit 60, etc.

After outputting the transmission command, the control unit 50 stops and resets the count of the timer 51 (step ST19), and returns to the determination in step ST13.
The second inspection control and the third inspection control perform the same processing as the first inspection control, and therefore, a description thereof will be omitted.

[Action and effect]
As described above, according to the garbage collection vehicle 1 of this embodiment, when the control unit 50 is started, an inspection control is performed to check whether the second signal from the emergency stop switches 43 to 45 is normally interrupted, so that the worker can discover a malfunction of the emergency stop switches 43 to 45 at an early stage.

In addition, because the control unit 50 executes inspection control when it is activated and certain conditions are met, inspection control can be executed at an appropriate timing. For example, the longer the time that has passed since the operation of the loading device 4 was stopped, the greater the possibility that the second signal from the emergency stop switches 43-45 will not be properly interrupted. Therefore, by setting the above conditions to a date on which a relatively long time has passed since the operation of the loading device 4 was stopped (for example, a date on or after the calendar day on which the main switch 33 was last turned off) or a time (for example, 8:00 a.m. every morning), inspection control can be executed at a more appropriate timing.

Furthermore, the longer the time that has passed since the ignition switch 9 or main switch 33 was last turned off, the greater the possibility that the second signal from the emergency stop switches 43-45 will not be properly interrupted. Therefore, by setting the condition that the time that has passed since the ignition switch 9 or main switch 33 was last turned off is a predetermined time or more (e.g., 8 hours), inspection control can be performed at a more appropriate time.

In addition, during inspection control, the control unit 50 does not accept input of operation signals from the switches 33, 35, 36, and 42 that initiate the operation of the loading device 4, garbage bin 3, and discharge plate 18 until it confirms that the second signal has been interrupted normally. This prevents the loading device 4, garbage bin 3, and discharge plate 18 from operating until the second signal has been interrupted normally.

In addition, if the second signal from the emergency stop switches 43-45 is successfully shut off during inspection control, the control unit 50 outputs a notification command to notify the operator that the second signal has been successfully shut off during inspection control.

In addition, during inspection control, the control unit 50 outputs a first notification command that prompts the operator to operate the emergency stop switches 43-45, allowing inspection control to be carried out quickly.

Furthermore, if the second signal is not interrupted for a predetermined time or longer after outputting the first notification command, the control unit 50 outputs a second notification command to notify that fact. As a result, if an operator receives a notification from the second notification command without operating an emergency stop switch 43-45, the operator can understand that he or she forgot to operate the emergency stop switch 43-45. Furthermore, if an operator receives a notification from the second notification command despite having operated an emergency stop switch 43-45, the operator can understand that the emergency stop switch 43-45 is malfunctioning.

[others]
The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims.

For example, the garbage collection vehicle 1 of this embodiment discharges garbage to the outside using a discharge plate 18 provided inside the garbage collection box 2, but it may also be possible to dump the garbage collection box 2 to discharge the garbage to the outside. Also, the loading device 4 of this embodiment is a press type that loads garbage using only a push plate 7, but it may also be a rotating plate type that loads garbage using the cooperation of a push plate and a rotating plate.

In this embodiment, the emergency stop switches 43-45 are of the B-contact type, but they may also be of the A-contact type. In this case, the control unit 50, during inspection control, simply checks whether the operation signal (second signal) is input correctly when the emergency stop switches 43-45 are turned on.

In the inspection control of this embodiment, all operation signals from switches 33, 35, 36, and 42 that start the operation of the loading device 4, garbage bin 3, and discharge plate 18 are not accepted. However, it is sufficient to at least not accept the operation signal (first signal) from loading switch 33 that starts the operation of the loading device 4. Furthermore, in the inspection control of this embodiment, the first inspection control, second inspection control, and third inspection control are performed in this order, but this order is not limited to these.

In the inspection control of this embodiment, if the second signal from the emergency stop switches 43-45 is not interrupted normally, information is sent to the management device (step ST18). However, even if the second signal from the first emergency stop switch 43 is interrupted normally, information indicating this may also be sent to the management device.

In this embodiment, the alarm 40 issues an audible notification urging the operator to turn on each of the emergency stop switches 43-45. However, the notification may also be visual, such as by displaying text on a screen or by turning on a lamp located near each of the emergency stop switches 43-45. The alarm 40 may also be located in the driver's cab 1a or the waste collection box 2.

The garbage collection vehicle 1 in this embodiment is equipped with three emergency stop switches 43-45, but it may also be equipped with two or fewer, or four or more, emergency stop switches. In this case, the control unit 50 simply checks whether each emergency stop switch is operating normally during inspection control.

In this embodiment, the control unit 50 does not accept input of operation signals from switches 34, 35, 36, and 42 during inspection control. However, if the control unit 50 restricts the output of the corresponding command signal even when an operation signal is input, it may output the restricted command signal after all inspection control has been completed, automatically starting the operation of the loading device 4, etc.

In this embodiment, the control unit 50 outputs a first notification command (step ST11) to prompt the user to operate the emergency stop switch and starts counting on the timer 51 (step ST12), and then checks whether the emergency stop switch is operating normally (step ST13). However, step ST13 may be performed without performing steps ST11 and ST12. In that case, if the second signal from the emergency stop switch is not interrupted at the time of checking step ST13, the control unit 50 may determine that the emergency stop switch is not operating normally, transmit information to the management device (step ST18), and terminate inspection control.

In this embodiment, we have described a case where the second signal that stops the operation of the loading device 4 is input to or cut off in the control unit 50 when an operator turns on the emergency stop switches 43-45. However, the present invention can also be applied to a case where the second signal that stops the operation of the loading device 4 is input to or cut off in the control unit 50 when the human detection device detects a person within a predetermined area including the inlet 3a of the garbage bin 3. In this case, during inspection control, it can be confirmed whether the human detection device is operating normally by checking whether the second signal is input to or cut off in the control unit 50 when an operator enters the area. This allows for early detection of malfunctions in the human detection device.

1 Refuse collection vehicle 2 Refuse collection box 3 Refuse dump box 4 Loading device 9 Ignition switch 33 Main switch 43 First emergency stop switch (emergency stop switch)
44 Second emergency stop switch (emergency stop switch)
45 Third emergency stop switch (emergency stop switch)
50 control unit

Claims (3)

A garbage collection box,
a trash container provided at a rear end of the trash container and having an inlet through which trash is thrown;
a loading device that loads the garbage thrown into the garbage throwing box into the garbage storage box;
a human detection device that detects a human within a predetermined area including the inlet of the garbage bin;
a control unit that starts operation of the loading device when a predetermined first signal is input, and stops operation of the loading device when the human detection device detects a human during operation of the loading device and a predetermined second signal is input or interrupted;
Equipped with
When the control unit is activated, the control unit executes inspection control to check whether the human detection device operates normally based on whether the second signal is input or blocked when a person enters the predetermined area;
In the inspection control, the control unit does not accept input of the first signal until it confirms that the human detection device is operating normally . A garbage collection box,
a trash container provided at a rear end of the trash container and having an inlet through which trash is thrown;
a loading device that loads the garbage thrown into the garbage throwing box into the garbage storage box;
a human detection device that detects a human within a predetermined area including the inlet of the garbage bin;
a control unit that starts operation of the loading device when a predetermined first signal is input, and stops operation of the loading device when the human detection device detects a human during operation of the loading device and a predetermined second signal is input or interrupted;
Equipped with
When the control unit is activated, the control unit executes inspection control to check whether the human detection device operates normally based on whether the second signal is input or blocked when a person enters the predetermined area ;
When the control unit confirms during the inspection control that the human detection device is operating normally, it outputs a notification command to notify the user of this. The control unit executes the inspection control when the control unit is activated and a predetermined condition is satisfied,
3. The refuse collection vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the condition is at least one of a date and a time, or an amount of time that has elapsed since the ignition switch of the refuse collection vehicle or the main switch of the loading device was last turned off .