Technical Report: Baumer sensors for safe container handling.

The ever-growing requirements on automation of Mobile Machines and heavy vehicles call for sophisticated and efficient components. This applies in particular to the deployed sensors which are expected to reliably deliver all function and safety-relevant data with utmost precision and at all times- and under whatever outdoor conditions. Here, modern vehicles for waste disposal that automatically lift and empty waste containers are a good example. To ensure efficiency and operational safety without accidents and in compliance with the Machine Directive, the sensors must reliably interact with each other to make sure both operator and safety system are provided with the relevant information at all times.

“Smart City“ is the future, and of course waste disposal is an integer part of it. Vehicles that automatically lift, empty and park waste containers are already a present-day street scenario. Villiger AG in Oberrüti, Switzerland, is recognized as an expert in anticipation of disposal concepts. The product portfolio ranges from above ground and underground containers to lifting and crane systems as well mobile container cleaning systems. With more than 150,000 systems installed in Switzerland and Europe, Villiger is one of the industry leaders with innovative and benchmarking solutions for waste disposal. The “Speed Lifter“ is one example. The specialized “gripper” to lift and hold the container enables all-automated and gentle handling. Quite a number of different sensors support the gripper in safe and quick container handling. For example, cable transducers monitor boom angle and length while absolute encoders acquire boom rotation. Inductive sensors deliver feedback on the outrigger position and inclination sensors monitor vehicle stability. All these measured values are required to define the gripper’s maximum permitted operating range for stability control and to prevent the vehicle from tilting in steep roads or on uneven ground.