WO2007019586A1

WO2007019586A1 - Collecting device for bulk material

Info

Publication number: WO2007019586A1
Application number: PCT/VN2006/000004
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dinh-Phuong Phan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-08-08
Filing date: 2006-08-07
Publication date: 2007-02-15
Anticipated expiration: 2008-02-08

Abstract

The invention provides a collecting device (2) for bulk material on a substantially flat collecting surface, comprising a collecting unit formed to pivot around a horizontal rotary shaft on a frame (32) in a direction corresponding to the advance direction of the collecting device (2), a whirling unit disposed in the collecting unit and a container (1 ) having an opening face toward the collecting unit and mounted on the support frame (32) behind the container, a receiving member integrally formed in the container. With this structure, the collecting device (2) can operate effectively, reduce consumption of power and improve durability of the collecting unit. In addition, the invention also provides bulk material collecting vehicles including: collecting pushcart, collecting bicycle or collecting vehicle with engine applying the collecting unit. These vehicles are very cheap in cost, light weight, consume very little fuel, and therefore can operate in weak floor, such as pavement, and poor and rural areas can afford to buy these vehicles.

Description

COLLECTING DEVICE FOR BULK MATERIAL

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a collecting device for bulk material, agricultural products such as rice, bean, and collecting vehicles for various bulk materials, specially refuse on roads, fields.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many kinds of refuse sweeping automobiles with high capacity, cleaning well have been provided for releasing heavy works of cleaners. FIG. 19 shows a Japanese refuse sweeping automobiles at about 40,000 USD in cost comprising a main engine 120HP, 3,000 kg in weight, having two cone brushes with 0.8m in diameter, speed at 12000r/m, two aspiring pumpers, two hydraulic engines, one fan with diameter of 0.6m - 3.600r/m operating by subengine 43HP - 2,300r/m, refuse is vacuum sucked into the container. FIG. 20 shows other U.S refuse sweeping automobile having capacity 177HP at about 80,000 USD in cost, two cone brushs with diameter of 1.2m and one horizontal cylindrical brush with diameter of 0.8m, length of 1,47m. The three brushs are operated by three pumps and three hydraulic engines. As total weight thereof is 5,800- 10,000kg, turning radius about 5-6 meters, these automobiles only suite for smooth wide roads for large amount of refuse.

In fact that the widder the roads are, the litter the refuse is. Refuse mainly lies on the conners of roads, pavements, fields and small roads. Thus, big refuse sweeping automobiles only used for wide roads are not suitable for these areas. Furthermore, under the most trasmission laws, these big automobiles do not allow to run on the pavements of the wide roads because they can damages these areas. It is noted that these areas almost contain 50% of the total area unit of the roads, and a larger amout of refuse. In fact one medium city needs 2-3 sweeping automobiles, and they work only 3-4 days per week because of high cost for operation. Besides, as high cost, many rural areas can not afford to equipe these sweeping automobiles, and therefore cleaning of refuse in the areas will be arranged by hands of cleaners.

The above and other sweeping automobiles usually a frame, wheels, cone brush members rotating for collecting refuse into the middle of the vehicle, a funnel is near the collecting member for sucking refuse or the brush members moving refuse into conveyor to go to the container at 1 meter in level higher ground. Further, these automobiles have many other devices such as hydraulic mechanisms for lifting up/down, engines, pumpers and this makes them very complex.

These cone brushes are made of thousands of steel fibers and disposed slight obliquely frontwardly so that the rotary shaft of brush is subtantially perpendicular to the advance direction of the vehicle, and therefore brush bristles will be easily deformed and broken in operation of the vehicle. And the vehicle must be limitted its speed to prevent damage of the brush bristles. With this structure of the brush bristles, the vehicle must be more consummed.

Moreover, in operation of the vehicle, the brush will push refuse upward and make polution of environment. In order to overcome the disadvantage, the almost sweeping vehicles must carry 500-1000 liters of water to wet refuse. This make micros, germs, and other toxic substances, polutions easier for distributing into ground, air and environment, and therefore, damage healthy of human. Generally, the current sweeping automobiles can be considered as cllecting devices for bulk material but due to complex structure, they can not convert to use for colecting general bulk material, such as agricultural pruducts, rice, bean, coffee etc. because the automobiles having big wheels, heavy weight can easily damage the bulk material, and fileds. Such a structure can also convert or modify into collecting devices which both brush and clean a floor of a house.

The prior art inventions also provide many sweeping devices. For example, PCT/GB84/00417 is one solution providing a sweeping pushcart, wherein its wheels are disposed in front of the brush member, the cylindrical brush member is pivotably attached in the horizontal and move refuse into a rectangular-shaped container in front of the brush member. The invention has disadvantage that is as the wheels are in front of the brush members, the wheels will press refuse in operation before the refuse is moved into the container, and therefore this hinders moving of refuse into the container. Further, the structure of the container and the brush member is not suitable so as to inhirit refuse from the brush member to the container.

GB190611313 provides a collecting device in which the cylindrical brush members is horizontal behind its two wheels and rotate to push refuse into a gutter behind the brush members in the advance direction of the vehicle. The gutter is connected to a temporal container and refuse will be moved continously into the container by bucket system. The invention also has disadvantage in moving refuse into the receiving member because refuse only is pushed into the temporal container by propulsive forces of the brush members, so effect of cleaning refuse is very low, specially in bumpy roads . Consequently, there are needs for a device which overcomes the above- mentioned problems. It is possible to reduce in investment cost of the device, manufacturing, and operating cost, so as to release workforce, work-hour etc. in society.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the invention addresses the foregoing needs in the art and provides a collecting device whichs overcome the above problems, and has a simple structure, cheap cost, but can collect not only refuse but also bulk material on the surface of weak floors more effectively.

Another object of the invention is to provide a collecting device to reduce in consumption of fuel, investment cost, manufacturing and operating cost, easy for use, and which can use in various kind of fields, collect various kind of bulk materials.

In order to achieve the above objects, the invention provides a collecting device for bulk material on a subtantially flat collecting surface, comprising: a frame supported on carrying means so as to be able to move the frame on the collecting surface; a collecting unit comprising: a hollow cylidrical body rotatably mounted on the frame in the horizontal, and its rotary shaft disposed at an angle with the moving direction of the frame, the body having vent holes which intercommunicate between the inside and the outside of the body; and collecting members attached to the body and projecting out the body so as to influence bulk material on the collecting surface while the body rotating in the direction coressponding to the moving direction of the frame; a whirling unit for enhancing the collecting ability of the collecting device mounted into the body of the collecting unit so that while the collecting device operates, the whirling unit will generate an air flow flowing from the inside of the body through the holes of the body to bulk material; a container for containing bulk material which is mounted on the frame and disposed behind the collecting unit in the advance direction of the frame and extends the subtatially entire length of the collecting unit and is adapted so that the opening of the container faces toward the collecting unit; and a transmission member for trasmiting movement from a power source to the collecting unit and the whirling unit.

As having a agreeably rotating direction, the collecting unit is less damaged from the collecting surface, and has high durability. Furthermore, since the receiving member is near to the collecting surface and the opening of the container faces toward the collecting unit, the collecting device consumes very little fuel for moving refuse into the container. In addition, the whirling unit is disposed close to the collecting unit so as to be able to combine mechanical forces of the collecting members and the air flow circulation from outside into the container, and then enhance bulk material collecting effects.

To improve moving refuse into the container by air flows, the collecting device according to the invention also is equiped an air circulating system. The air circulating system comprises: a hollow cylindrical partition formed between the container and the collecting unit, the partition surrounds the collecting unit and is formed a aperture on the working area where the collecting unit substantially contacts with the collecting surface and at the under edge of the opening of the container, the outside wall of the partition and the container constitute a holding cavity titgh above; a space between the inside of the partition and the outside of the collecting unit formed into the whirling cavity; a partition supporting axis coaxial with the rotary shaft of the body of the collecting unit and inside of the partition intercommunicating with inside of the body; a connecting pipe intercommunicating between the inside of the body of the collecting unit and the upper portion of the holding cavity; and an exhaust pipe intercommunicating between the upper portion of the whirling cavity and atsmophere; whereby in operation of the device, the whirling unit operated to generate air flow passing into the working area combinating with air flow formed by the collecting unit which passes through the receiving member and circulates via the holding cavity, a connecting pipe is connected between the holding cavity and inside of the body of the collecting unit and inside of the partition and discharged outside via the exhaust pipe, and whereby bulk material will be moved into the holding cavity easily.

One further object of the invention is to provide various refuse collecting vehicles: collecting pushcart, collecting bicycle and collecting vehicle driven by an engine with cheap cost, which consume very litle fuel, and easy for use, so that it can use in many kinds of areas, with various floors, such as cement or bitumen foor, even at weak floors, such as pavements, where the prior-art automobiles can not operate on.

A bulk material collecting pushcart according to the invention is also provided, which comprises a frame is made of steel pipes; a carrying means comprises three wheels in which one steering wheel is formed at the rear of the container and the two other front wheels are in front of the container; and regulating members are formed on the the frame for regulating positions of the collecting unit; and transmission is arranged between the collecting unit and the front wheels to transmit rotation from the front wheels to the collecting unit. In addition, the vehicle is also equipped clout plate under the vehicle to clean the collecting surface so as to be able to both collect refuse and clean the collecting surface. Furthermore, the invention also provides a collecting bicycle for bulk material, specially refuse, or collecting vehicle having engine according to comprises: the frame is made of steel pipes; the carrying means comprises three wheels in which two steering wheels are formed in front of the container and one driving wheel is in rear of the container; an engine transmits power to the driving wheels and to the transmission; and a steering member for changing the direction of the collecting device is connected to the steering wheel.

With such refuse collecting vehicles, the invention can achieve the following effects:

The collecting vehicles for refuse clean the road surface well, do not push up dust in the environment, or do not generat noise in operation. While accelerbrating the speed of the collecting device, clear level remain assurance by generating more air flow for sucking refuse into the collecting device and speed of the brush corressponds to speed of moving of the collecting vehicle. Specially, the brush is agreeable to the advance direction of the collecting device so as to distribute to reduce in consumption of fuel.

The collecting are easy for operating, all collecting unit is in the eyesight of the operator, and therefore it is easy for driving and working of the operator.

The collecting vehicles is very light and small: a collecting pushcart is 0.8m in length, not over 40kg in weight; a collecting bicycle or vehicles having a engine has 2.2m in length, about 50- 150kg in weight. These vehicle can operate in many terrains: the road surface, pavement, fields, into markets or in brushing and cleaning a house. As the collecting device is reduced many resistances from the collecting surface, and relatively power of moving bulk material into the container, the collecting vehicles according to the invention consume very little fuel. The durability of the collecting unit is high because of less contact to the collecting surface. The vehicles have simple structure so as to reduce in operating and maitenance costs for the collecting unit. Thus, cost of collecting vehicle is very small comparing to the above-mentioned U.S. and Japanese sweeping vehicle.

The collecting vehicles according to the invention can collect not only refuse but also various bulk materials. One collecting device can collect one group bulk material which have the same shape, but do not need to convert or modify the collecting vehicle for the separate bulk material.

In other aspect of the invention, the collecting device further comprises a guiding mechanism for guiding refuse form the edge of the collecting surface comprising: a supporting shaft vertically attached to the front frame of the collecting device; and at least one flat guiding brush mounted on the shaft extending in the substantially horizontial sideward the collecting device and perpendicular to the moving direction of the device so that the brush bristles project downwardly and contact onto the collecting surface; whereby when the device move in advance, the guiding brush will guide bulk material from outside into the working area of the collecting device. Accordingly, while the vehicle move forward, the guiding brush will guide the bulk material from outside into the working area of the collecting device. In addition, the supporting shaft is mounted to pivot vertically and is driven by one air cylinder so as to fold to close and open the guiding brush. The guiding brush is also pivoted around a horizontal shaft and lifting cylinder guiding brush has one end mounted on the brush and the other end mounted on the upper portion of the supporting shaft respectively so as to pivot and lift up/down the brush. Therefore, it is possible to clean the hidden, zigzag conners.

According to other aspect of the invention, a collecting mechanism is provided comprising a container having U-shaped cross-section and disposed in the subtantially horizontal; two side walls closed at two ends of the container, the bottom of the container is cut longitudinally separately along the entire length of the container so as to form a bottom door pivotably hinged around a horizontal shaft so that the bottom door in combination with the other portion of the container will constitute the entire container, the edge of the bottom door is arranged very near to the collecting surface; when the container is drawn, the bulk material will be moved into the container and wind is discharged frontward in the upper portion of the container, and the bulk material can be discharged out of the container by rearward pivoting the door. In other aspect of the invention, a collecting mechanism for bulk material on a collecting surface comprises having U-shaped cross-section and disposed in the subtantially horizontal; two side walls are closed at two ends of the container, edge of the opening of the container is very near to the collecting surface; when the container is drawn, the bulk material will be moved into the container and wind is discharged frontward in the upper portion of the container; the container (1) is pivatably mounted on a horizontal shaft (5) so that the bulk material can be discharged by turning over the container. Furthermore, in other aspect of the invention, the collecting unit is a cylindrical cage which is pivotably mounted in the horizontal in front of the container; bristle elements are mounted longitutally along and project out from the surface of the collecting unit to push into the container, and generate air flow to move the collecting material into the container while the collecting unit rotates; a transmission transmits a rotation to the collecting unit. In addition, the collecting mechanism can be attached behind and drawn by a trasmitting means.

BRIEF DECSRIPTΪON OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic views of a collecting mechanism for the collecting device according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention; net

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container having a refuse holding net;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container having a refuse exhausting side port;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container having a refuse exhausting bottom port;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the container according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a collecting mechanism for the collecting device according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a collecting pushcart applied to the collecting mechanism in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a collecting vehicle having engine and applied to the collecting mechanism in FIG. 1 according to another preffered embodiment of the invention;

FIGs. 9 and 10 are views illuminating different positions of the container of the collecting vehicle in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of a refuse collecting vehicle according to a preffered embodiment of the invention; FIG. 12 is a perspective view a refuse collecting vehicle having the collecting mechanism disposed behind according to another preffered embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 A is a perspective view of a collecting unit having cutting blades according to another preffered embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13B is a partial side view illuminating a connection of the cutting blades and the cylindrical body of the collecting unit in FIG. 13 A;

FIG. 14a is a schematically side view of a collecting mechanism bulk material according to another embodiment;

FIG. 14b is elevation section view of the collecting mechanism bulk material in FIG. 10a;

FIG. 15a is schematically side view of the collecting mechanism bulk material modified ftom the collecting mechanism in FTG. 10a;

FIG. 15b is an elevation section view of the collecting mechanism bulk material in FIG. 14a;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of a refuse pushcart applied to regulating disks for the collecting unit;

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a refuse collecting bicycle applied to regulating disks for the collecting unit ;

FIG. 18 is a schematic view of a refuse collecting motorcycle applied to regulating disks for the collecting unit ;

FIG. 19 is a schematic view of a prior-art American sweeping vehicle; FIG. 20 is a schematic view or a prior-art Japanese sweeping vehicle; and FIG. 21 is a schematic view of a small kind of a prior-art Japanese sweeping vehicle.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENTS FIGs. 1 and 2 are schematic views illuminating a collecting mechanism applied to the collecting device bulk material, e.g. refuse, such as a refuse pushcart as shown in FIG. 7 according to the first embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 7, a collecting device in one illuminating example of the invention is a refuse collecting pushcart which comprises a frame 1 having a rotary shaft 5 for rotatably supporting a collecting unit 2, the collecting unit 2 for collecting bulk material, a container 3 assembled onto the frame 1 and disposed behind the collecting unit 2.

Referring to FIGs. 1 and 2, the collecting mechanism applied to the collecting device is a hollow cyindrical body 4 having vent-holes 7 in air- comunicating the inside of the body with its outside and bristle elements 6 projecting through the body 4. A fan 8 functioning as an the whirling unit is coaxially assembled with the shaft of the collecting unit body. The fan 8 includes a fan body 10 and blades 9 is formed coaxially with the shaft of the collecting unit body 4. The fan body 10 is shaped hollow cylinder and a hole communicating the inside of the fan body with the inside of the collecting unit body. An U-shaped container 3 is disposed in horizon with the container opening facing the collecting unit 2 and an slight oblique bottom, and next to a collecting surface. The opening is formed an receiving member 11. The container is disposed behind the collecting unit according to the working direction (the advance direction) of the collecting mechanism.

FIG. 7 shows that a refuse (bulk material) collecting pushcart applying the collecting mechanism in FIG. 1, in which the U-shaped container 3 offsets and the opening of the container facing the collecting unit 2 and a slight oblique bottom is close to the collecting surface for forming a receiving member 11. The container is behind the collecting unit in view of the advance direction (the direction of arrows a in the drawing) of the collecting pushcart. Two front wheels are mounted on the under portion of the pipe-made frame of the pushcart and one rear wheel funtioning as a driving wheel is mounted on a rear under portion of the frame 1. The collecting unit body and the fan body is interconnected to the front wheels via a belt/chain transmission 14.

FIG. 5A shows the collecting mechanism according to another preffered embodiment of the invention, wherein the collecting unit 2 does not have the whirling unit arranged the inside of the body of the brush members. The brush body 7 can be formed the same as that in the embodiment of FIG. 1 or can be formed to a shape of a cylindrical cage including steel bars arranged along the generating line of a cylinder and welded to each other by two steel rings at two ends thereof (as shown in FIG. 13A), bristles of the brush members are attached to the steel bars into arrays along generating line of the cylinder. It is noted that the arrays of bristles can differ from one another in shape, or are disposed one array of harder bristles adjacent to other array of softer bristles so as to clean both heavy bulk materials and light bulk materials on the road surface (the collecting surface). As without the whirling unit, length of each array of bristles should be adapted respectively to both brush bulk material at the most distal ends of the bristles and whirl wind at the body portions of the bristles. Thus, the more length of the bristles is, the stronger the windwhirl into the container is, and power consumption is increased. Furthermore, arrangements of the arrays of bristles are various, the bristles are not only arranged along generating line of the cylinder, but also along oblique line of the cylinder, or arranged in a V shape or zigzag, etc..

The collecting mechanism can be converted into a cutter for weed or rice or like trees, which can cut and collect weed by changing bristles into zigzag- shaped blades as shown in FIG. 13 A. The fastening structure of the blades as shown in FIG. 13B can be made by a fastener, such as bolt-nuts, screws. The fan blades (not shown in the drawing) made by flat plates can be projected from the steel bars into the inside of the cylinder for further whirling weed or rice whch has already been cut separately into the container.

In addition, the container can be equiped a baring door 20' close to the container opening. The baring door 20' can move generally vertically for closing/opening the bottom of the container. The baring door is linked with the container by two slide edges at two side walls of the container, and the baring door is driven by an air cylinder, which is rotataly attached at one end to an upper portion of the container, and the other end is rotataly attached to the baring door 20'.

The operation of the refuse collecting pushcart, which means that of the collecting mechanism, is as follows: while an operator push the collecting pushcart so as to roll the front and rear wheels 12 and 13 on the collecting surface and carry the frame and the container on the collecting surface, the front wheels 12 of the pushcart transmit the rotation to the fan and the collecting unit. It is noted that the transfer ratio of the transmission of the fan is bigger that the transfer ratio of the transmission of the collecting unit body so as to make the rotation speed of the fan higher that that of the collecting unit. It also noted that in this embodiment, the fan has the same rotation direction as the collecting unit. It is also noted that the rotation direction of the collecting unit agrees with moving of the frame that is the frame moves forward in accordance with the arrows a, and the rotation direction of the collecting unit is the direction which is not hinder the moving of the frame, that means the collecting unit rotates in the direction of arrows b in the drawing. When the collecting unit rotates, the collecting members will move refuse into the container. At the same time, the fan will rotate to generate air flows through the holes of the collecting unit body and flows the material to be collected toward the container. With this action, refuse will be easily moved into the container.

The container further comprises the bottom door 15 can pivot around the shaft 6 trong the container. The bottom door 15 for discharging refuse covers the opening in the bottom of the container and the door engages with the other portions of the bottom the container so as to fotm a receiving guter when the door is closed, and is open to release refuse at the bottom the container.

Besides, according to another preffered embodiment, the container can be formed a refuse exhausting door sidewards as shown in Fig,4. A part of the side wall of the container is formed an opening and and a door 15' hinges on a axis 16' in order to close and open the opening. In colleting refuse, the door 15' covers the opening, and if refuse need to be discharged from the container, the door 15' will be pivoted for uncover and the other side of the container will be lift higher via a lever 17 so as to slope the container toward the opening and refuse will be exhausted. In another aspect, the container can be arranged a holding net 18 inside the container for holding refuse at bottom of the container, and prevent refuse from following the air flow upward of the container. The holding net enable air through it for circulating air in the container. The movable partition 18' for closing the container, if desired, is also formed into the container. An air cylinder 18" constituting a lifting mechanism of the movable partition is connected to the movable partition 18' and the container for lifting up and down the movable partition 18' for opening/closing the container if desired.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the collecting mechanism used for the collecting device according to another preffered embodiment of the invention also includes an air circulating system. The air circulating system includes a hollow cylindrical partition 18 is disposed between the container and the collecting unit, the connecting pipe 19 intercommunicates between the inside of the body of the collecting unit and the upper portion of the holding cavity, and a exhaust pipe 20 intercommunicates between the upper portion of the whirling cavity and the atmosphere outside. It is noted that in the specific embodiment in FIG. 6, the collecting unit and the whirling unit are combined in one, that is the collecting members is instead of the fan blades mounted onto the body of the collecting unit for whirling confuse.

The partition 18 surrounds the collecting unit and sandwichs between the collecting unit and the container. The end of the partition 18 inside the container is welded into the side walls of the container (not shown in the drawing) so that the partition and the container constitute the holding cavity 21 close upward. The inside of the partition 18 and the outside of the collecting unit constitute a whirling cavity 24. The working area 22 of the collecting mechanism is where the collecting unit at the under edge 23 of the opening thereof substantially contacts with the collecting surface. The partition 18 is formed an aperture at the working area 22 and combined with the under edge 23 of the container to allow wind to pass from the whirling cavity 24 to the working area 22 and move refuse into the container. A partition supporting axis 18 according to the embodiment is coaxial with the rotary shaft 5 of the body of the collecting unit. An outler 26 of exhaust pipe 20 is formed to face toward the working area to make a part of wind from the whirling cavity flowing refuse on the side of the collecting mechanism into the working area 22 thereof. Acordingly, the collecting precess will be further facilitated. A fan 25 can be additionally attached on the exhaust pipe 20 to enhance the air exhaust, and accelerate the air flow circulation in the container and the air flow from exhaust pipe 20.

In operation of the collecting device, the collecting mechanism moves in advance. The collecting unit revolves and wind is generated in the whirling cavity 24 and flows through the working area 22 and past into the exhaust pipe 20. Due to the pressure difference between the whirling cavity and the holding cavity, the air flow begins moving from the working area to the holding cavity following direction of arrow c via the connecting pipe 19 and into the whirling cavity so as to constitute air flow circulation. With the air flow circulation, refuse in the working area will be moved following the air flow and into the container. Refuse is restrained into the container by the refuse holding net. In order to reduce fine dust discharging from the container, a filter can be arranged at the outside end of of the vent hole (not shown in the drawing). With such a structure, the air circulating system can facilitate the refuse collecting process effectively, but has a simple structure.

It is noted that, refuse in the specific embodiment is one kind of bulk materials for the illumating purpose, the collecting device according to the invention can be used for all kind of bulk materials generally, such as rice, coffee grain, bean, salt, sand etc.. Therefore, it should be understood that such a collecting device can be applied in many fields where contains bulk material. The air circulating system in FIG. 6 can be applied for the structure according to the embodiment in FIG. 2 wherein the whirling unit (fan) and the collecting unit are formed separately.

Pipes 17, 18 being assistance means are formed the holes 27', 28' facing towards the working area. The pipes 27 and 28 are arranged close to the under edge of the opening of the container and intercommunicate with the whirling cavity 24 (not shown in the drawing). With the pipes 12, 18, when the collecting mechanism operates, wind will flow from the holes 27', 28' in the direction contrary to the direction of the air flow circulation so as to push refuse in hollows of the collecting surface upward to facilitate to move the bulk material into the container 1.

With the above air circulating system, the air flows will be circulated stronger, and refuse in hollows of the road (the colecting surface) can assurably be moved into the container. Furthemore, with the exhaust pipe 20, refuse at the side of pavements can easy be flowed into the working area of the collecting device. As the brush members generally does not contact onto the road surface, they do not hinder the movement of the device (vehicle).

According to the embodiment in FIG. 6, a barrier lever 30 is mounted in front of the collecting unit to flat stacks of bulk material before bulk material moves into the working area. To prevent the collecting mechanism from hiting an obstacle, a spring 29 for detecting the amount of overload is mounted in front of the collecting mechanism. The spring is linked to an alarm unit generating sound and/or light signals to the operator and/or the brake of the collecting device will be operated when the spring 30 deformed exceeds a certain threshold. The above collecting mechanisms according to the above-mentioned embodiments can be applied to a four-wheel vehicle as shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. The frame of the vehicle comprises a first frame portion including a frame linkage 32 and the frame 33 which is supported on wheels 34, 35, 31, the second frame portion 31 supporting the collecting unit 2 and the container 3, which is pivotably connected to the frame linkage by a hinge 36. In another way, the frame linkage 32 and the vehicle frame can be made integrally. The frame linkage is supported on the front wheels 34 and is pivotably connected to the vehicle frame 33 through the hinge 37. The frame portions are made of steel bars and steel tube and are fixed each other by a retainer, such as knots, bolts etc. when they are working positions . The brush members and the whirling unit are rotatably mounted on a shaft 5' in the second frame portion. The assistance means for generating wind, such as pipe 18' in FIG. 8, are separated from the container and are attached so as to be movable in direction of arrow b' with the brush members on the shaft 5', therefore, for maintenance, the collecting unit and pipes 18' are merely pivoted in direction of arrow b' around the shaft 5', and a part of the brush members can be exhibited outside. Ruber surrounding plates surround the working area can be separated into two portions, the first portion 60' is attached under the container, the second portion 60" is attached under the assistance means 18' for generating wind and can be pivoted together with the assistance means 18' when the assistance means 18' is pivoted around the shaft 5 as shown in FIG. 9. Two lift levers 38 at one end is pivotably connected to a front portion of the second frame portion through the hinge 39, the other end thereof is pivtably mounted onto two sides of the container through the hinge 40 so as to be able to pivote the container above the collecting unit when refuse is exhausted outside of the container. The container has two support flanges 41 formed at two sides of the container for lowering the container in its working podition, and the at that time the flanges will seat against onto and be supported by the frame linkage. FIG. 8 shows the container in two positions, the working positon I is indicated by full lines and the refuse discharging position II is shown by broken lines. Two air cylinders 42 are linked between the second frame portion 31 and two lift levers. The two air cylinders 42 also have two working positions: the lifting position for lifting the container as shown in broken lines and contract positon as shown by the full lines.

The vehicle comprises an engine, not shown in the drawing, which transmits power to the rear wheel 35 as a steering wheel and the collecting mechanism 2 and fan. A steering wheel 45 is linked to the rear wheel 35 so as to handle the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle can equip horn, lamp and brake system, if desired.

The collecting unit 2 is fixedly supported on the second frame portion 31. For easiness in maitenance of the collecting unit, a screw mechanism 43 is arranged to link between the second frame portion 31 and the frame linkage 32 so as to rotate the second frame portion 31 together with the collecting unit 2. As shown in FIG. 9, the screw mechanism 43 is operated to rotate the second frame portion 31 and the collecting unit 2 so as to exhibit the opening area in front of the collecting unit and therefore the area can be used for maitenancing the inner members of the collecting unit 2.

FIG. 10 shows the collecting unit and the container in the contract position which is indicated by full lines in the drawing. In the position, the second frame portion 31 is entirely pivoted and the container is lift up in a position nearest to the vehicle body.

FIG. 12 shows the collecting mechanism aplied to the vehicle in accordance with other structure, wherein the collecting mechanism is mounted behind the vehicle body and drawn by the vehicle. The vehicle head is provided with a cone brush so as to peel off dust on the road surface. As the collecting mechanism is formed rearward, a bigger container can be arranged so as to contain more refuse than that where the collecting mechanism is in front of the collecting device.

FIG. 14a, FIG. 14b show the collecting mechanism refuse according to another embodiment of the invention. The mechanism comprises a support frame 1 supports the collecting unit 2 and the container 3 as shown in FIG. 1, the collecting unit 2 formed as brush members 2 is supported by the support frame 1 via the rotary shaft 5, and the container 3 is pivotably attached behind the collecting unit 2.

The rotary shaft 5 is a horizontal hollow tube which is fixed into the frame 1, and the brush members 2 is rotatably mounted on the rotary shaft 5. The brush members 2 according to this embodiment have the hollow cylindrical body 46 and bristles 47 are formed as bundles of bristles shaped as fan blades projecting from the body 47 and have a equal distance from each other on the circumference of the body 46. Ends of the shaft 5 intercommunicate inside the container through two connecting pipes 48 connecting to two discharge holes 49 at two sides of the container 3. The inside of the rotary shaft 5 is formed the holes to intercommunicate with the inside of the brush body 46, the body is also formed holes to intercommunicate outside.

The U-shaped container 3 is horizon and its container opening faces toward the collecting unit 2 and its bottom slightly slopes and is next to the collecting surface so as to form a receiving channel 50. A raw pure net 18 is also equiped in the container to restrain refuse at the bottom of the container and a fine pure net 51 is mounted on a recess 52 on the upper wall of the container 3. Rubber plates 53 are formed surrounding the rear portion of the container and are pivotably attached via the hinge 54 on the container to prevent air from flowing from rearward into the container, and do not make dust upward in operation of the mechanism.

The air circulating system of the collecting device according to the embodiment comprises a cylindrical curve plate 55 surrounds the brush members 2 except a part of the brush contacting into the road surface and channel between the brush and the receiving member 50, the curve plate 56 inside the curve plate 55 for guiding the air flow surrounds brush except its upper and under portions as shown in FIG. 14a, a vent recess 57 is formed between the plate 55 and the plate 56 sidewards the left of the brush as shown in FIG. 14a and FIG. 14b, a exhaust pipe 58 is connected to vent recess 58 and projects sidewards outside and in front of the brush members 2. The exhaust pipe 58 faces toward the contact pount of the brash members so as to flow refuse at sides to the brush members. The curve plates 55 and 56 are tightly welded and supported by the side walls of the container 3.

The operation of the air circuling system in the collecting device wil be herewith described. When the vehicle moves in advance in the direction of arrow a, the entirely collecting device is moved foreward. At the same time, by the transmission 45, the brush members 2 is rotated. It is noted that the bristles of brush do not touch directly onto the road surface but is apart a small distance from the road surface so as do not damage the brush in its operation and do not cause resistance in operation of the vehicle. The brush rotates and moves refuse toward the receiving member, and simultanneously forms an air flow circulating inside the container in the direction of arrow dl. The air flow passes in two ways through two holes 49, the two connecting pipes 48 and moves inside the rotary shaft 5 from two ends, and then to the rotary shaft 5 and through the inside of the body of the brush members 2. For generating wind, a fan 59 is also mounted on the rotary shaft 5 inside the body of the brush members, the fan blades are adapted to flow air to the outside of the body of the brush members. Having moved from the body of the brush members, the air flow divides into two parts, the main part of the air flow goes into the way d2 to the vent recess 57 and through exhaust pipe 58 and to atmosphere, it is used to flow refuse from sideward of the collecting unit. The other part of the air flow goes into a way d3 along the inner side of the curve plate 55 and flows near the road surface in the direction contrary to the direction of arrow a. The air flow also acts to flow refuse into the receiving member. Accordingly, with the air circulating system, the air flows can be used efectively to facilitate to move refuse into the inside of the container.

A rubber plate 60 is formed in front of the curve plate 55, the rubber side plates 61, 62 are mounted at the sides of the brush members. Rubber plates 55, 60, 61, 62 tightly surround the working area of the brush members so as to generate a negative pressure ar the channel between the receiving member and the brush members so as to cause the air flow stronger to move refuse into the container. The working area of the brush members is an area where the bristles of brush subtantially contact the road surface and the head of the receiving member.

FIGs. 15a and 15b show a modification of the collecting mechanism in FIG. 14a and FIG. 14b. The collecting mechanism is futher equiped a refuse conveying member 63 from the container to other vehicle. The refuse conveying member 63 includes a conveying drive screw 64 for conveying refuse outside mounted on the bottom the container, behind the receiving member, and screw 65 to further move refuse into the connecting pipe 66. The screw are driven from the front wheel or a transmission of the vehicle in FIG. 10. So, refuse in the container is moved outside the container 3 when the container is full.

FIGs. 16 to 18 show various kinds of refuse collecting vehicle including collecting pushcart, colecting bicycle and collecting motorcle which use the collecting mechanism according to the above-mentioned embodiment. In the drawings, the collecting mechanism is simplified in which the collecting unit mearely is the horizontal brush members and the container with the air circulating system which also is simplified. The collecting vehicles are provided a position regulating member of the collecting mechanism which is support disks 60 fixed onto the front frame portions above the front wheels 12. The support disk 60 for supporting and regulating the position of the rotary shaft 5 of the brush 2 and the wheel axis 62 is fixed onto the under end of the front pipes 11. Two front wheels are rotatably mounted into the wheel axis 6 at the under ends of the two front pipes 11. Regulating recesses 14 shaped arc of which center is coaxial with the wheel axis 15 are formed on the refulating disks 13 and the rotary shaft 5 is mounted on the regulating recesses 14. The brush members 2 are rotatably mounted into the rotary shaft 5 and a chain disk 64 is fixed at the one end thereof to receive rotation from a belt/chain transmission 65. Bristles of the brush members 2 can be made of durable steel or plastic fiber.

The rotation from the front wheel 12 is transmitted to the brush members 2 through the chain transmission 65. While the front wheels 6 roll on the road surface, their rotation is transmitted to the chain disk 63, chain 65, and to the chain disk 64 and make the brush members 2 rotating in the direction of arrow b, the direction agrees with the advance direction a of the vehicle (working direction). While the brush members 2 rotate in the direction contrary to the working direction, that is the vehicle is drawn in the back direction, refuse in the container can be come out. To prevent the matter, a pawl clutch, not shown in the drawing, can be arranged into the transmission 64 so as to merely allow the brush members to rotate in one-way direction. Transfer ratio of the transmission 9 is more than 1, it is 5-10 times, to enhance the clean effect, i.e. while the front wheel rotates one 1 revolution, the brush members rotate more than one revolution.

FIG. 16 shows a refuse collecting pushcart, wherein the rear wheel 13 is steering wheel for changing the direction of the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle is equiped a clout plate 66. The clout plate 66 made of soft material, is mounted on the bottom of the container and contact onto the collecting surface. A water tank 70 is arranged in the upper portion of the frame 1 and its water is conducted through a duct 67, a valve 68, a tap 69 to discharge into clout plate 66 to clean it. In operation of the vehicle, the clout plate contact onto the collecting surface and clean dust on the surface. The members very corresspond to use at home, hospital.

FIG. 17 shows a collecting mechanism having the regulating member as same as that in FIG. 16, which is aplied to a bicycle, in which steering wheel is two front wheels and one rear wheel is connected to pedals and chain. The front wheels 12 are connected to a steering wheel 71 for changing the vehicle direction. FIG. 18 shows a collecting mechanism having the regulating member which is aplied to a colecting motorcycle have the same structure as the collecting mechanism in FIG. 17, the difference is that the power source of the collecting motorcycle is an engine.

As the collecting mechanism is a simple structure, combinations of the collecting unit and the air flow circulation through the container, morover the collecting mechanism can apply to various kinds of the vehicle, the present invention can achieve the following effects:

1. High effect in colleting refuse, enhancing clean of the road surface, the collecting unit sucking refuse into a tight cavity, so dust does not come out atmosphere.

2. With the air flow contrary to the air flow circulation, refuse can be moved out from hollws on the collecting surface so as to improve the clean level. The brush rotate in accordance with the advance direction of the vehicle, so the brush and the receiving member do not touch directly on the road surface, and do not hinder movement of the vehicle. This increases in durability of the members and reduces in consumption of fuel, improves effectiveness.

3. The collecting device can be operated easily, and can contract smaller when it turns in a small angle. Since the collecting mechanism is disposed in front of the vehicle, all works is in the eyes of the operator so that driving and operating the vehicle very easily.

4. By salvaging all power generated in the collecting device, capacity of the vehicle is relatively improved. A collecting pushcart sized 0,8m in length, 20kg in weight can be used in various kind of roads: pavement, fields, markets. A collecting pushcart can formed to fuction cleaning and brushing, so this can be reduced in work-hours. 5. The collecting device can be fabricated in many purposes: brushing refuse and cleaning a floor, cutting grass, collrcting many kinds of bulk material such as rice, bean, coffee, cereal, salt, sand, e.g.

6. Cost of the collecting vehicle is very cheap, it is 1/20-1/30 times of the refuse sweeping automobile having the same fuctions. Expenses for operation and maitenance is very low.

According to another preffered embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 3, a collecting mechanism comprises an container 1 having U-shaped cross-section is disposed in horizontal; two side walls 2 and 2' are closed at two ends of the container, the middle of the bottom of the container is cut longitudinally separately along the entire length of the container so as to form a bottom door 3 pivotably hinged around a horizontal shaft 4 so that the bottom door in combination with the other portion of the container will constitute the entire container 1. The edge of the bottom door 3 is arranged very near to the collecting surface so that when the container is drawn, the bulk material will be moved into the container and wind is discharged frontward in the upper portion of the container 1. The bulk material will be unloaded by pivoting the door 3 rearward to open the outlet of the container 1. In other aspect as shown in FIG. 4, the container is U-shaped in horizontal and is formed a refuse exhausting door sideward so as to exhaust refuse from the refuse exhausting door. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 5 A and FIG. 13 A, a collecting mechanism also comprises a collecting unit which is formed a cylindrical cage and is mounted to pivote in the horizonal in front of the container; bristle elements disposed longitutally on the surface of the collecting unit project out so as to push the bulk material into the container, and whirl air flow to move the collected material into the container while the collecting unit rotate. Refeting to FIGs. 13 A and 13B, the collecting mechanism is mounted zigzag-shaped cutters and bristles for both cutting and moving the colecting material into the container.

In addition, according to the specific embodiment, the collecting devices and the collecting mechanism also comprise two refuse (collecting material) guiding brush as shown in FIG. 11 mounted in front of the collecting device or the collecting mechanism. A cleaing means for cleaning the side of the road comprises brush V having bristle elements projecting underward the road surface, they are attached into the shaft 7 via the hinge so that brash can free fall to contact into the road surface by up/down lifting of the shaft T and rotating by a ball-and-socket bearing 5'. The guiding brush 1 ' is pushed into its working position by a cylinder 6', the positon is most preferably formed a slid angle so that the refuse slid through the brush and enter into the collecting machanism, the angle is about 110-120°. In the rest position, the cylinder 6' pushs the brush close to the front face of the collecting mechanism. The mechanism can clean conners by the cylinder 8' fixed onto the vehicle frame at its one end, the other end is fixed to the brush via a hinge 9'. The cylinder 8' will lift up the brush and lift it down the Conner for cleaning the Conner. It is noted that ball-and-socket bearing, hinge can be replaced by other bearings provided that the bearings corresspond with the operation of the above cleaning mechanism.

With the cleaning mechanism, the collecting device can clean the corner of the road. Thus, the range of collecting of the collecting device can be expanded, and therefore can further reduce the handle works. The embodiments discussed above are representative of embodiments of the present invention and are provided for illustrative purposes only. They are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Variations and modifications are apparent from a reading of the preceding description and are included within the scope of the invention. The invention is intended to be limited only by the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A collecting device for bulk material on a subtantially flat collecting surface, comprising: a frame supported on carrying means so as to be able to move the frame on the collecting surface; a collecting unit comprising: a hollow cylidrical body rotatably mounted on the frame in the horizontal, and its rotary shaft disposed at an angle with the moving direction of the frame, the body having vent holes which intercommunicate between the inside and the outside of the body; and collecting members attached to the body and projecting out the body so as to influence bulk material on the collecting surface while the body rotating in the direction coressponding with the moving direction of the frame; a whirling unit for enhancing the collecting ability of the collecting device mounted into the body of the collecting unit so that while the collecting device operates, the whirling unit will generate an air flow flowing from the inside of the body through the holes of the body to bulk material; a container for containing bulk material which is mounted on the frame and disposed behind the collecting unit in the advance direction of the frame and extends the subtatially entire length of the collecting unit and is adapted so that the opening of the container faces toward the collecting unit; and a transmission member for trasmiting movement from a power source to the collecting unit and the whirling unit.

2. The collecting device according to claim 1, wherein the under edge of the opening of the container is formed into a receiving member.

3. The collecting device according to claim 2, wherein the collecting unit has fan blades projecting out of the body, the fan blades is adapted so that they cooperate with the receiving member to generate a negative pressure in the outlet of the receiving member relative to the ouside pressure.

4. The collecting device according to claim 1, wherein the collecting unit is brush having a horizontal cylindrical body, and bristle elements projecting out of the brush body.

5. The collecting device according to any one of the preceeding claims, wherein the container is U-shaped in the horizontal.

6. The collecting device according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the collecting device further comprises two lift levers having one end rotatably connected to the front portion of the frame, and the other end mounted on two sides of the container so that the container can rotate upward above the collecting unit if desired, the lift levers is supported against the frame when the container is in its working position.

7. The collecting device according to claim 6, wherein the collecting device further comprises a lifting mechanism for lifting the container above the collecting unit for repairing or discharging bulk material out of the container formed between the lift levers and the frame.

8. The collecting device according to claim 7, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises two air cylinders, each cylinder is mounted on one lift lever and a side portion of the frame.

9. The collecting device according to claim any one of the preceeding claims, wherein the clooecting device further comprises: a refuse discharge hole formed at the bottom of the container; and a refuse exhausting door for closing/opening the refuse discharge hole formed to rotate around a horizontal shaft inside the container.

10. The collecting device according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein a refuse discharge hole is formed on a side of the container a refuse exhausting door for closing/opening the refuse discharge hole pivotably formed around a horizontal shaft inside the container; and a lifting mechanism formed to obliquely lift the container so as to move refuse toward the refuse exhausting side port for discharging refuse from the container.

11. The collecting device according to claim any one of the preceeding claims, wherein the collecting device further comprises: a movable partition (7) for closing the container formed in the container; and a lifting mechanism (8) linked between the container and the movable partition to lift the movable partition up to make an opening for moving bulk material into the container and down the movable partition for closing the container.

12. The collecting device according to claim any one of the preceeding claims, wherein the collecting device further comprises the holding net formed into the container for keeping bulk material at the bottom of the container and disposed so as not to hinder bulk material entering into the container.

13. The collecting device according to claim any one of the preceeding claims, wherein the collecting device is equiped a pawl clutch between the collecting unit and the power source to prevent the collecting unit from rotating in contrary direction.

14. The collecting device according to claim any one of the preceeding claims, wherein the under edge of the container is shaped blades (15) next to the collecting surface.

15. The collecting device according to claim any one of the preceeding claims, wherein the whirling unit is a fan (12).

16. The collecting device according to claim 15, wherein the shaft of the fan (12) is coaxial with that of the collecting unit and extends the entire widen of the opening the container.

17. The collecting device according to claim any one of the preceeding claims, wherein the collecting device further comprises an air circulating system comprising: a hollow cylindrical partition formed between the container and the collecting unit, the partition surrounds the collecting unit and is formed a aperture on the working area where the collecting unit substantially contacts with the collecting surface and at the under edge of the opening of the container, the outside wall of the partition and the container constitute a holding cavity titgh above; a space between the inside of the partition and the outside of the collecting unit formed into the whirling cavity; a partition supporting axis coaxial with the rotary shaft of the body of the collecting unit and inside of the partition intercommunicating with inside of the body; a connecting pipe intercommunicating giGa the inside of the body of the collecting unit and the upper portion of the holding cavity; and an exhaust pipe intercommunicating between the upper portion of the whirling cavity and atsmophere; whereby in operation of the device, the whirling unit operated to generate air flow passing into the working area cominating with air flow formed by the collecting unit which passes through the receiving member and circulates via the holding cavity, a connecting pipe is connected between the holding cavity and inside of the body of the collecting unit and inside of the partition and discharged outside via the exhaust pipe, and whereby bulk material will be moved into the holding cavity easily.

18. The collecting device according to claim 15, wherein the shaft rotatably supporting the body of the collecting unit is formed on the frame and is a horizontal hollow cylindrical member, the inside of the shaft is vented with th inside of the body, and a connecting pipe isvented between the inside of the shaft and the upper portion of the holding cavity.

19. The collecting device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the collecting device further comprises a fan (20) mouted on the exhaust pipe for improving the air circulation in the container.

20. The collecting device according to any one of claims 17-19, wherein the outlet of the exhaust pipe faces toward the working area to flow bulk material at the side of the collecting device to the working area.

21. The collecting device according to any one of claims 17-20, wherein the collecting device further comprises a fine filter disposed on the filter net and upstream to the exhaust pipe in order to prevent bulk material from coming out of the holding cavity.

22. The collecting device according to any one of claims 17-21, wherein the collecting device further comprises soft plates surrounding the working area in front of the collecting unit, behind the container and two sides of the collecting unit to improve the air flow circulation of the air circulating system.

23. The collecting device according to claim 22, wherein the collecting device further comprises assistance means formed near the under edge of the container for guiding the air flow faces toward the working area to flow refuse out of hollows on the collecting surface in order to improve to move bulk material into the container.

24. The collecting device according to claim 23, wherein the under edge of the container has an aerodynamic shape; and the assistance means comprises at least one horizontal hollow assisting pipe formed holes which are equally disposed along the container and connected to the exhaust pipe to conduct a part of the air flow from the whirling cavity to the exhaust pipe so as to form a wind layer flowing obliquely frontward facing toward the working area for moving refuse out of the hollows on the collecting surface easily.

25. The collecting device according to claim 24, wherein assistance means comprises two horizontal assisting pipes parallel to each other formed holes which are equally disposed along the container and connected to the exhaust pipe to conduct a part of the air flow from the whirling cavity to the assistancing pipes.

26. The collecting device according to claim any one of the preceeding claims, wherein the carrying means are wheels attached under the frame.

27. The collecting device according to claim 26, wherein at least one wheel is formed to change the moving direction of the frame.

28. The collecting device according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the collecting unit is upstream to the carrying means.

29. The collecting device according to claim 28, wherein the power source is forces from an operator applying to the collecting device.

30. The collecting device according to claim 29, wherein the frame is made of steel pipes; the carrying means comprises three wheels in which one steering wheel is formed at the rear of the container and the two other front wheels are in front of the container; and regulating members are formed on the the frame for regulating positions of the collecting unit; and transmission is arranged between the collecting unit and the front wheels to transmit rotation from the front wheels to the collecting unit.

31. The collecting device according to claim 29, wherein: the frame is made of steel tubes; two rear wheels is in the rear of the container; the under edge of the container is contacted with the collecting surface and together with the two rear wheels to keep balance of the device; a lever, combined with the two rear wheels to change the moving direction of the collecting device, is integrally formed on the frame and extends rearwards; regulating means are formed on the frame to regulate the position of the collecting unit; and transmission is arranged between the collecting unit and the two rear wheels to transmit rotation from the wheels to the collecting unit.

32. The collecting device according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the regulating members are a disk having a regulating recess formed under the frame.

33. The collecting device according to any one of claims 30-32, wherein the transmission is a chain transmission or a belt transmission.

34. The collecting device according to claim 28, wherein the frame comprises: a first frame portion supported on carrying means so as to move the collecting device on the collecting surface; a second frame portion supporting the collecting unit and the container upsstream to the first frame portion and connectecd to pivote around a horizontal shaft relative to the first frame portion; and a frame pivoting mechanism for pivoting the second frame on the first frame portion formed between the second frame and the first frame portion.

35. The collecting device according to claim 34, wherein the second frame portion is a horizontal rectangular-shaped support frame.

36. The collecting device according to claim 34 or 35, wherein supporting flanges are formed on the container for supporting the container against the first frame portion while the container is in its working position.

37. The collecting device according to claim 34 or 35, wherein a stop member is formed on the first frame portion ot on the second frame portion to allow the second frame portion to merely pivot perpendicular to the first frame portion.

38. The collecting device according to any one of claims 34-37, wherein a barrier lever is formed on the second frame portion in front of the collecting unit to flat stacks of bulk material before bulk material moves into the working area.

39. The collecting device according to any one of claims 34-37, wherein the collecting device further comprises: an elastic member (26) for detecting the amount of overload is mounted on the second frame portion in front of the collecting unit; and an alarm unit generating sound and/or light signals to the operator and/or the brake of the collecting device will be operated when the elastic member deformed exceeds a certain threshold.

40. The collecting device according to any one of claims 34-39, wherein the the power source is force from feet of the operator.

41. The collecting device according to claim 40, wherein the frame is made of steel pipes; the carrying means comprises three wheels in which two steering wheels are formed in front of the container and one driving wheel is in rear of the container; pendals for transmiting forces from the feet of operator to rotate the rear wheel via chain transmission; and a transmission linked to the chain transmission; a steering member for changing the direction of the collecting device is connected to the steering wheel.

42. The collecting device according to any one of claims 34-39, wherein the power source is a driving power from a engine mounted on the frame.

43. The collecting device according to claim 42, wherein the frame is made of steel pipes; the carrying means comprises three wheels in which two steering wheels is formed in front of the container and one driving wheel is in rear of the container; an engine transmits power to the driving wheels and to the transmission; and a steering member for changing the collecting device is connected to the steering wheel.

44. The collecting device according to any one of claims 41-43, wherein the steering member is a handle bar.

45. The collecting device according to claim 42, wherein the first frame portion is made of steel pipes; the carrying means comprises fours wheels in which two steering wheels are formed in front of the container and two driving wheels are in rear of the container; the engine and its power transmission are formed on the frame and transmit power to the driving wheels and the transmission; and a steering member for changing the direction of the collecting device is connected to the steering wheels.

46. The collecting device according to claim 42, wherein the two steering wheels is in rear of the container and the two driving wheels are in front of the container.

47. The collecting device according to claim 45 or 46, wherein the steering member is a mechanism having a steering wheel.

48. The collecting device according to claim 45, 46 or 47, wherein the collecting device is equiped a mirror, horn, lamp system.

49. The collecting device according to claim any one of the preceeding claims, wherein the collecting device further comprises a clout plate made of sort material for cleaning the collecting surface mounted at the bottom outside the container and contacted onto the collecting surface.

50. The collecting device according to claim 49, wherein the collecting device further comprises: a water tank is arranged in the upper portion of the frame; and a duct and tap for conducting water from the water tank to the clout plate to wet and clean the clout plate.

51. The collecting device according to claim any one of the preceeding claims, wherein the collecting device further comprises: a guiding mechanism for guiding refuse form the edge of the collecting surface comprising: a supporting shaft vertically attached to the front frame of the collecting device; and at least one flat guiding brush mounted on the shaft extending in the substantially horizontial sideward the collecting device and perpendicular to the moving direction of the device so that the brush bristles project downwardly and contact onto the collecting surface; whereby when the device move in advance, the guiding brush will guide bulk material from outside into the working area of the collecting device.

52. The collecting device according to claim 52, wherein the guiding mechanism further comprises: the supporting shaft which is disposed vertically pivotably; the guiding brush mounted on the supporting shaft and pivotably supported around a horizontal shaft; a cylinder for folding the guiding brush having one end mounted on the supporting shaft, and the other end mounted on the collecting device frame so as to be able to pivot the shaft to open the brush at an angle relative to the horizontal, which can fold the brush close to the front portion of the collecting device; and a lifting up/down cylinder for the guiding brush having one end mounted on brush, and the other end mounted on the upper portion of the supporting shaft accordingly so as to pivot brush up or down in operation of the guiding mechanism.

53. A collecting mechanism for bulk material on a collecting surface comprises a container (1) having U-shaped cross-section and disposed in the subtantially horizontal; two side walls (2) and (2') closed at two ends of the container, the bottom of the container is cut longitudinally separately along the entire length of the container so as to form a bottom door (3) pivotably hinged around a horizontal shaft (4) so that the bottom door in combination with the other portion of the container will constitute the entire container (1), the edge of the bottom door (3) is arranged very near to the collecting surface; when the container is drawn, the bulk material will be moved into the container and wind is discharged frontward in the upper portion of the container, and the bulk material can be discharged out of the container by rearward pivoting the door (3).

54. A collecting mechanism for bulk material on a collecting surface comprises having U-shaped cross-section and disposed in the subtantially horizontal; two side walls (2) and (2') are closed at two ends of the container, edge of the opening of the container is very near to the collecting surface; when the container is drawn, the bulk material will be moved into the container and wind is discharged frontward in the upper portion of the container; the container (1) is pivatably mounted on a horizontal shaft (5) so that the bulk material can be discharged by turning over the container.

55. A collecting mechanism for bulk material on a collecting surface comprises a container (1) having U-shaped cross-section and disposed in the subtantially horizontal; one or two side walls (2; 2') pivotably formed so as to be a receiving door (4), edge of the opening of the container is very near to the collecting surface, when the container is drawn, the bulk material will be moved into the container and wind is discharged frontward in the upper portion of the container; and the bulk material whill be dischrged by pivoting the receiving door (4) and lifting one respective side of the container (1).

56. The collecting mechanism according to any one of claims 53- 55, wherein a substantially horizontal net (6) is formed in the upper portion of the container (1) to keep the bulk material but permit air pass through, a movable partition (7) attached a lifting mechanism (8) is formed in the fronth portion of the container (1) so as to lift up the partition (7) to form an aperture to move the bulk material into and lift down the partition (7) to close the container (1).

57. The collecting mechanism according to any one of claims 53-56, wherein a horizontal cilindrical brush (9) is disposed in front of the container (1) near to the collecting surface and only rotates in one diraction to move the bulk material (refuse) into the container.

58. The collecting mechanism according to any one of claims 53-56, wherein cof caάi further comprises: the collecting unit is a cylindrical cage which is pivotably mounted in the horizontal in front of the container; bristle elements are mounted longitutally along and project out from the surface of the collecting unit to push into the container, and generate air flow to move the collecting material into the container while the collecting unit rotates; a transmission transmits a rotation to the collecting unit.

59. The collecting mechanism according to claim 58, wherein cutters are mounted arrays instead of bristle elements so that the adjacent arrays of cutter are contrarily disposed with each other.

60. The collecting mechanism according to claim 59, wherein cutters are formed zigzag shape.

61. The collecting mechanism according to any one of claims 58- 60, wherein the collecting mechanism is attached behind and drawn by a trasmitting means.