Refuse vehicle control system
A refuse vehicle includes a body coupled to a chassis and defining a refuse compartment configured to store refuse, a refuse collection arm configured to engage and lift a refuse container to unload refuse, and an object detection system configured to provide object detection data relating to locations of objects relative to the refuse vehicle. An actuator controls movement of the refuse collection arm. A controller is configured to use the object detection data to determine if the refuse container is present within an aligned zone relative to the chassis, the aligned zone representing a range of locations in which the refuse collection arm is capable of engaging the refuse container. In response to a determination that the refuse container is within the aligned zone, the controller is configured to provide an indication to an operator that the refuse container is within the aligned zone.
1. A refuse vehicle, including:
a chassis extending longitudinally;
a body coupled to the chassis and defining a refuse compartment configured to store refuse;
a refuse collection arm configured to engage a refuse container and lift the refuse container to unload refuse from the refuse container, the refuse collection arm including an actuator configured to control movement of the refuse collection arm;
an object detection system configured to provide object detection data relating to locations of objects relative to the refuse vehicle;
a display; and
a controller operatively coupled to the object detection system, the display, and the actuator;
wherein the controller is configured to use the object detection data to determine if the refuse container is present within an aligned zone relative to the chassis, the aligned zone representing a range of locations in which the refuse collection arm is capable of engaging the refuse container;
wherein, in response to a determination that the refuse container has been detected by the object detection system but is not within the aligned zone, the controller is configured to control the display to provide a first indication to an operator that the refuse container is not within the aligned zone; and
wherein, in response to a determination that the refuse container is within the aligned zone, the controller is configured to:
control the display to provide a second indication to an operator that the refuse container is within the aligned zone; and
control the refuse collection arm to engage the refuse container and lift the refuse container to unload the refuse from the refuse container.
2. The refuse vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the range of locations of the aligned zone includes a plurality of longitudinal locations that are longitudinally offset from one another, and wherein the controller provides the first indication if the refuse container is longitudinally forward or behind the aligned zone.
3. The refuse vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the range of locations of the aligned zone includes a plurality of lateral locations that are laterally offset from one another, and wherein the controller provides the first indication if the refuse container is laterally outside the aligned zone.
4. The refuse vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to use the object detection data to determine if the refuse container is present within an intermediate zone relative to the chassis, the intermediate zone being adjacent to the aligned zone and representing a range of locations in which the refuse collection arm cannot engage the refuse container; and
wherein, in response to a determination that the refuse container is within the intermediate zone, the controller is configured to provide a third indication to the operator that the refuse container is within the intermediate zone.
5. The refuse vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a location sensor operatively coupled to the controller and configured to provide data relating to at least one of a position and an orientation of the refuse collection arm, and wherein the controller is configured to use the data from the location sensor to autonomously control the refuse collection arm to engage the refuse container and unload the refuse from the refuse container.
6. The refuse vehicle of claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to determine an initial location of the refuse container prior to unloading the refuse from the refuse container, and wherein the controller is configured to autonomously control the refuse collection arm to return the refuse container to the initial location after unloading the refuse from the refuse container.
7. The refuse vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to use the object detection data to determine a location of an obstacle relative to the refuse collection arm, and wherein the controller is configured to limit movement of the refuse collection arm based on a distance between the refuse collection arm and the obstacle.
8. The refuse vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a load sensor configured to provide load data related to a load supported by the refuse collection arm, and wherein the controller is configured to use the load data to determine a weight of the refuse unloaded from the refuse container.
9. The refuse vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the actuator is a hydraulic actuator configured to move the refuse collection arm in response to receiving hydraulic fluid, wherein the load sensor is a pressure sensor, and wherein the load data includes a pressure of the hydraulic fluid.
10. The refuse vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the refuse vehicle is a front-loading refuse vehicle, and wherein the refuse compartment of the body is a first refuse compartment, further comprising:
a container assembly coupled to the refuse collection arm and defining a second refuse compartment, wherein the refuse collection arm is configured to lift the refuse container to unload the refuse from the refuse container into the second refuse compartment of the container assembly; and
a front-loading lift assembly coupled to the chassis and at least selectively coupled to the container assembly, wherein the front-loading lift assembly is configured to lift the container assembly to unload the refuse from the second refuse compartment into the first refuse compartment of the body.
11. The refuse vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the refuse vehicle is a side-loading refuse vehicle, wherein the refuse collection arm is coupled to the chassis, and wherein the refuse collection arm is configured to lift the refuse container to unload refuse from the refuse container into the refuse compartment.
12. A refuse vehicle, including:
a chassis extending longitudinally;
a body coupled to the chassis and defining a refuse compartment configured to store refuse;
a refuse collection arm configured to engage a refuse container and lift the refuse container to unload refuse from the refuse container, the refuse collection arm including an actuator configured to control movement of the refuse collection arm;
an object detection system configured to provide object detection data relating to locations of objects relative to the refuse vehicle; and
a controller operatively coupled to the object detection system and the actuator;
wherein, in response to an indication from the object detection system that an object is present near the refuse vehicle, the controller is configured to use the object detection data to determine if the object is an obstacle or a refuse container;
wherein, in response to a determination that the object is an obstacle, the controller is configured to determine if the obstacle is positioned directly above the refuse collection arm; and
wherein, in response to a determination that the obstacle is positioned directly above the refuse collection arm, the controller is configured to:
prevent upward movement of the refuse collection arm beyond a predetermined height; and
permit movement of the refuse collection arm below the predetermined height.
13. A control system for a refuse vehicle including a refuse collection arm, the control system comprising:
a location sensor configured to provide data relating to at least one of a position and an orientation of the refuse collection arm;
an actuator configured to control movement of the refuse collection arm;
a display; and
a controller operatively coupled to the location sensor, the actuator, and the display, wherein the controller is configured to use the data from the location sensor to generate a model including a simulated graphical representation of the refuse collection arm, and wherein the display is configured to display the model generated by the controller.
14. The control system of claim 13 , further comprising an object detection system operatively coupled to the controller and configured to provide object detection data relating to locations of objects relative to the refuse vehicle;
wherein the controller is configured to use the display to visually indicate a location of the refuse container relative to an aligned zone, the aligned zone representing a range of locations in which the refuse collection arm is capable of engaging the refuse container.
15. The control system of claim 14 , wherein, in response to an indication from the object detection system that an object is present near the refuse vehicle, the controller is configured to use the object detection data to determine if the object is an obstacle or a refuse container; and
wherein, in response to a determination that the object is an obstacle, the controller is configured to control the display to provide an indication to an operator that the obstacle is present near the refuse vehicle.
16. The control system of claim 15 , further comprising a camera operatively coupled to the controller and configured to be coupled to a chassis of the refuse vehicle, wherein the camera is configured to record video of an area near the refuse vehicle, and wherein the display is configured to display the video.
17. The control system of claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to operate at least one system of the refuse vehicle according to a plurality of parameters that each correspond to a desired setting, and wherein the controller is configured to receive a profile containing the parameters from an external device.
18. The control system of claim 13 , wherein the location sensor includes at least one of a linear position sensor, an angular position sensor, an accelerometer, or a gyroscopic sensor.
19. The control system of claim 13 , wherein the location sensor does not include a camera.
20. The control system of claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to generate the model using the data from the location sensor and a predetermined relationship between the location data and a configuration of the simulated graphical representation.