U.S. patent application number 11/933345 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-20 for manufactured article treatment processing system.
Invention is credited to Masakatsu HAYASHI, Yuzo HIROSHIGE, Takashi KITAMURA, Yugi OCHIAI, Toshijiro OHASHI, Tatsuya SUZUKI, Takahiro TACHI.
Application Number | 20080071412 11/933345 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26571143 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080071412 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SUZUKI; Tatsuya ; et
al. |
March 20, 2008 |
MANUFACTURED ARTICLE TREATMENT PROCESSING SYSTEM
Abstract
A manufactured article treatment processing method and system
includes reading out from a manufactured article being subjected to
treatment information of component parts of the article and
specific properties of the component parts, extraction of the
component parts to be separated on the basis of predetermined
specific properties serving as information for detachment and
specific properties of the component parts, and treatment of the
component parts to be separated and other components parts through
different processes, respectively.
Inventors: |
SUZUKI; Tatsuya;
(Yokohama-shi, JP) ; OHASHI; Toshijiro;
(Chigasaki-shi, JP) ; HIROSHIGE; Yuzo; (Tokyo,
JP) ; OCHIAI; Yugi; (Tokyo, JP) ; KITAMURA;
Takashi; (Abiko-shi, JP) ; TACHI; Takahiro;
(Funabashi-shi, JP) ; HAYASHI; Masakatsu;
(Ushiku-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANTONELLI, TERRY, STOUT & KRAUS, LLP
1300 NORTH SEVENTEENTH STREET
SUITE 1800
ARLINGTON
VA
22209-3873
US
|
Family ID: |
26571143 |
Appl. No.: |
11/933345 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09621054 |
Jul 21, 2000 |
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11933345 |
Oct 31, 2007 |
|
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09091192 |
Jun 10, 1998 |
6226617 |
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PCT/JP96/03611 |
Dec 11, 1996 |
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09621054 |
Jul 21, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
700/115 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B09B 5/00 20130101; Y10S
707/99948 20130101; Y10S 707/99945 20130101; G06Q 10/06 20130101;
G06Q 10/06312 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/115 |
International
Class: |
G06F 19/00 20060101
G06F019/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 12, 1995 |
JP |
07-323339 |
Dec 12, 1995 |
JP |
07-323340 |
Claims
1. A discarded article treatment processing method, comprising the
steps of: treating the discarded article on the basis of a selected
treatment procedure for segregating harmful or hazardous material
to be separated; monitoring a situation in which said discarded
article is being treated and checking whether the relevant work has
been completed or will be able to be performed in conformance with
the selected treatment procedure through the medium of a detecting
means; reading out, from information concerning said discarded
article, alternative treatment procedures serving a same purpose as
said selected treatment procedure in case it is decided that said
treating situation suffers abnormality; selecting practicable
alternative treatment procedures capable of being carried out by
facilities installed in a treatment-entrusted factory which is in
charge of treatment of said discarded article; generating another
separation method or procedure for segregating harmful or hazardous
material to be separated by cutting said discarded article;
comparing the practicable alternative treatment procedures and
another separation procedure with one another and determining the
most inexpensive procedure; and treating said discarded article on
the basis of said determined treatment procedure.
2. A discarded article treatment processing method, comprising the
steps of: treating the discarded article on the basis of a selected
treatment procedure for segregating variable things to be
separated; monitoring situation in which said discarded article is
being treated and checking whether relevant work has been completed
or will be able to be performed in conformance with the selected
treatment procedure through a medium of a detecting means; reading
out, from information concerning said discarded article,
alternative treatment procedures serving for a same purpose as said
selected treatment procedure in case it is decided that said
treating situation suffers abnormality; comparing information
concerning the purchase prices of the variable things with the cost
involved in the separation treatments according to said alternative
treatment procedures; selecting an alternative treatment procedure
which can ensure highest profit; and treating said discarded
article on the basis of said selected alternative treatment
procedure.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a Divisional of application Ser. No. 09/621,054,
filed Jul. 21, 2000, which is a Continuation of U.S. application
Ser. No. 09/091,192, filed Jun. 10, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No.
6,226,617, which is a National Stage Application of PCT/JP96/03611,
filed Dec. 11, 1996, and claims priority from Japanese Patent
Application Nos. 07-323339 and 07-323340, both filed on Dec. 12,
1995, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a discarded article
treatment system for carrying out treatments or disposal of waste
manufactured articles.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Heretofore, discarded articles such as discarded electric
appliances for home use are collected and treated by dealers
entrusted by a local government and junk dealers engaged in garbage
or waste disposal or treatment business. In such discarded
articles, some parts of metals such as iron, aluminum and the like
are segregated and sorted to be recycled as restored
materials/substances. However, in the present state of situation,
most of the discarded articles are disposed of for the reclamation
or landfill after fragmentation or cremation without undergoing any
treatment or processing. As a consequence, there have been arisen
serious environmental problems. By way of example, in conjunction
with the landfill, there may be mentioned a problem of shortage of
land or lot required therefor and problems of soil contamination
and water pollution. Similarly, cremation of the discarded or waste
articles encounters serious problems such as air pollution, global
warming due to generation of C02 and the like. Such being the
circumstances, there exists a great social demand for the efforts
for promoting the recycling of the discarded manufactured articles
(reuse of the discarded articles as resources) in order to reduce
the amount of wastes or make the most of the fossil fuel which is
naturally limited while preventing contamination due to discard of
harmful wastage.
[0004] In the waste disposal facilities, more particularly in the
factories for disassembling and segregating the discarded articles,
it is required to carry out proper treatments, i.e., detachment or
segregation of all the harmful and hazardous materials/substances
and parts from the collected discarded articles as well as sorting
thereof and transfer the resultants to proper treatment processes
or to junk dealers as well as segregation/sorting of materials and
parts incapable of treatments with the treating equipment or
facilities installed in the relevant treatment-entrusted factory
which is in charge or capable of treatment of discarded articles,
valuable things to be segregated before shredding and the others
(e.g. those destined for shredding treatment by shredders, those
susceptible to sorting and recovery of materials resulting from the
separation or segregation) and then transport the resultants to the
proper treatment processes and the junk dealers
correspondingly.
[0005] In practice, however, because of less availability of the
information required for segregation/sorting, attempts for proper
and appropriate treatments of the discarded articles actually
encounter difficulty in determining what kinds of component parts
and/or materials or substances the discarded articles are composed
or made of, locating harmful parts and valuable things and other,
as a result of which there are ultimately incurred frequently
improper treatments of the discarded articles.
[0006] In the present states of the art, the information concerning
the methods for carrying out the proper and appropriate treatments
of the discarded articles is essentially difficult to acquire. By
way of example, almost all of the manufactured articles contain
little indication or information concerning the disassembling
method, materials or substances of the component parts or the like.
On the other hand, the manufacturers are not in the position to
afford such information. Further, acquisition of such information
takes an awful lot of time.
[0007] For the reasons mentioned above, many or most of the
discarded articles are disposed of as wastage without undergoing
any proper and appropriate treatments.
[0008] With the present invention, it is contemplated as an object
thereof to reduce the amount of wastage to thereby prevent
contamination due to harmful wastes and make the most of the fossil
fuel which is naturally limited
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to protect
contamination due to harmful wastes by treating or disposing of
discarded articles or things properly and appropriately.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0010] For achieving the above-mentioned objects, the present
invention proposes that information required for treatment such as
separating procedure of a manufactured article or the like is
affixed to the article so that proper and appropriate treatment can
be executed on the basis of the information affixed to the
manufactured article in a treatment-entrusted factory.
[0011] In concrete, there are provided:
[0012] a means for reading out from a manufactured article being
subjected to treatment a plurality of treatment procedures and
information concerning facilities required for executing the
above-mentioned treatment procedures,
[0013] a storage means for storing the information concerning
facilities which a treatment-entrusted factory in charge of
treatment of the above-mentioned manufactured article is equipped
with, and
[0014] an executing means for extracting the stored information of
the facilities which the treatment-entrusted factory is equipped
with and facilities information required for executing the
treatment procedure to thereby select a treatment procedure capable
of being carried out by the facilities which the
treatment-entrusted factory is equipped with,
[0015] wherein the manufactured article is treated in accordance
with the selected treatment procedure mentioned above.
[0016] Further, there are provided:
[0017] a step of reading out from a manufactured article being
subjected to treatment a plurality of treatment procedures and
information concerning facilities required for executing the
above-mentioned treatment procedures,
[0018] a step of selecting a treatment procedure capable of being
carried out by facilities installed in a treatment-entrusted
factory from the information concerning the facilities of the
treatment-entrusted factory which is in charge of treatment of the
manufactured article and the information concerning the facilities
required for executing the above-mentioned treatment procedure,
and
[0019] a step of treating the manufactured article in accordance
with the selected treatment procedure mentioned above.
[0020] In this manner, not only the treatment procedures suited for
the facilities of the individual factories can be carried out but
also the proper and appropriate treatment of the discarded articles
can be realized, whereby the environment pollution due to the
disposal of the harmful waste can be prevented.
[0021] Further, the above-mentioned storage means stores
additionally operating costs of the abovementioned facilities,
respectively, while the abovementioned executing means
arithmetically determines overall operating costs involved in
carrying out the above-mentioned selected treatment procedures,
respectively, to thereby select a treatment procedure which is
lowest with regards to the calculated overall operating cost
determined arithmetically, whereby the treatment of the discarded
article can be realized with low cost and high efficiency.
[0022] By way of example, the above-mentioned operating cost is
stored as operating cost per unit time, wherein for calculation of
the above-mentioned overall operating cost, the executing means
estimates a time taken for treatment of the article being subjected
to the treatment on the basis of dimension or alternatively weight
of the article to be treated by the above-mentioned facility and
multiplies the estimated time by the operating cost per unit time,
whereby the overall operating cost can be calculated.
[0023] Furthermore, according to another mode for carrying out the
present invention, there are provided:
[0024] a means for reading out from a manufactured article being
subjected to treatment component parts of the article and specific
properties of the above-mentioned component parts,
[0025] a means for storing predetermined specific properties
serving as information for detachment,
[0026] an executing means for extracting the component parts to be
separated on the basis of the predetermined specific properties as
stored and specific properties of the component parts of concern,
to thereby determine different treatment procedures for the
treatment of the component parts to be separated and for the
treatment of the other component parts, respectively,
[0027] a first treating means for treating the component parts to
be separated, and
[0028] a second treating means for treating the other component
parts.
[0029] Alternatively, there are provided:
[0030] a step of reading out from a manufactured article being
subjected to treatment component parts of the article and specific
properties of the component parts,
[0031] a step of extracting the component parts to be separated on
the basis of predetermined specific properties serving as
information for detachment and specific properties of the component
parts, and
[0032] a step of treating the component parts to be separated and
the other component parts through different processes,
respectively.
[0033] In this manner, the proper and appropriate treatments
conforming to the specific properties of the component parts such
as. for example, materials/substances, harmful
materials/substances, hazardous materials/substances and valuable
things, respectively, can be realized, whereby the environment
pollution due to the disposal of the harmful waste can be
prevented.
[0034] Furthermore, according to yet another mode for carrying out
the present invention, there are provided:
[0035] a means for reading out from a manufactured article being
subjected to treatment component parts of the article and specific
properties of the component parts,
[0036] a means for storing predetermined specific properties
indicating valuable things,
[0037] a means for extracting component parts constituting valuable
things on the basis of the stored predetermined specific properties
and the specific properties of the component parts,
[0038] a means for arithmetically determining cost involved in
executing separation procedure for taking out the component parts
constituting the above-mentioned valuable things,
[0039] a means for comparing the arithmetically determined
separation procedure cost mentioned above with price of the
valuable things, and
[0040] a means for taking out the above-mentioned valuable things
when the price of the valuable things exceeds the cost involved in
the above-mentioned separation procedure.
[0041] Alternatively, there are provided:
[0042] a step of reading out from a manufactured article being
subjected to treatment component parts of the article and specific
properties of the component parts,
[0043] a step of extracting component parts constituting valuable
things on the basis of predetermined specific properties indicating
the valuable things and specific properties of the component
parts,
[0044] a step of arithmetically determining cost involved in
executing separation procedure for taking out the above-mentioned
component parts constituting the valuable things,
[0045] a step of comparing the arithmetically determined separation
procedure cost mentioned above with price of the valuable things,
and a step of taking out the valuable things when the price of the
valuable things exceeds the cost involved in the separation
procedure.
[0046] In this manner, the valuable things are taken out when
profits are expected. Thus, meaningless extraction of the valuable
things is not performed, whereby the treatment efficiency of the
system as a whole can be enhanced.
[0047] Furthermore, according to a further mode for carrying out
the present invention, there are provided:
[0048] a means for reading out from a manufactured article being
subjected to treatment a plurality of treatment procedures and
purposes of the treatment procedures,
[0049] a first treating means for treating the manufactured article
on the basis of a given one treatment procedure selected from the
plurality of treatment procedures mentioned above,
[0050] a means for monitoring situation in which the manufactured
article is being treated,
[0051] a means for extracting treatment procedures serving for a
same purpose as the above-mentioned selected treatment procedure in
case it is decided that the above-mentioned treating situation
suffers abnormality, and a second treating means for treating the
manufactured article on the basis of any one of the extracted
treatment procedures mentioned above.
[0052] Alternatively, there are provided:
[0053] a step of reading out from a manufactured article being
subjected to treatment a plurality of treatment procedures and
purposes of the treatment procedures,
[0054] a step of selecting a given one from the plurality of
treatment procedures mentioned above,
[0055] a step of treating the manufactured article on the basis of
the selected treatment procedure,
[0056] a step of monitoring situation in which the manufactured
article is being treated,
[0057] a step of extracting treatment procedures serving for a same
purpose as the above-mentioned selected treatment procedure in case
it is decided that the above-mentioned treating situation suffers
abnormality, and
[0058] a step of treating the manufactured article on the basis of
any one of the above-mentioned extracted treatment procedures.
[0059] Thus, not only the alteration of the treatment can be
realized in accordance with the situation in which the manufactured
article is being treated but also the proper and appropriate
treatments suited for the manufactured articles can be carried
out.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0060] FIG. 1 is a view showing schematically and generally a
configuration of a manufactured article treatment processing system
according to the present invention.
[0061] FIG. 2 is a chart showing a flow of treatment procedure
determining/outputting processings executed in the manufactured
article treatment processing system according to the present
invention.
[0062] FIG. 3 is a chart showing a flow of treatment procedure
determining/outputting processings executed in the manufactured
article treatment processing system according to the present
invention.
[0063] FIG. 4 is a chart showing a flow of treatment procedure
determining/outputting processings executed in the manufactured
article treatment processing system according to the present
invention.
[0064] FIG. 5 is a chart showing a flow of treatment procedure
determining/outputting processings executed in the manufactured
article treatment processing system according to the present
invention.
[0065] FIG. 6 is a chart showing a flow of treatment procedure
determining/outputting processings executed in the manufactured
article treatment processing system according to the present
invention.
[0066] FIG. 7 is a view showing schematically and generally a
configuration of a manufactured article treatment processing system
according to the present invention.
[0067] FIG. 8 is a view for illustrating examples of data of a
statutory regulations/standards information database.
[0068] FIG. 9 is a view for illustrating examples of data of a
manufactured article specifications information database.
[0069] FIG. 10 is a view for illustrating examples of data of a
market information database.
[0070] FIG. 11 is a view for illustrating examples of data of a
treatment-entrusted factory specifications information
database.
[0071] FIG. 12 is a chart showing a flow of treatment procedure
determining/outputting processings according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention and more particularly shows a
flow including a procedure for segregating harmful/hazardous
material/substance when a treatment-destined article contains
harmful/hazardous material/substance.
[0072] FIG. 13 is a chart showing a flow of treatment procedure
determining/outputting processings according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention and more particularly shows a
flow including a procedure for deciding whether or not a component
part of a manufactured article meets the conditions for
treatment-destined object of the facilities of a
treatment-entrusted factory to separate the component part in case
the manufactured article contains the component part which can not
meet the above-mentioned conditions.
[0073] FIG. 14 is a chart showing a flow of treatment procedure
determining/outputting processings according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention and more particularly shows a
flow including a procedure for deciding whether or not component
parts of a manufactured article contains valuable things to be
separated, to thereby segregate the valuable things when the parts
contain valuable things.
[0074] FIG. 15 is a view for illustrating an example of a structure
of a manufactured article.
[0075] FIG. 16 is a view for illustrating an example of a structure
of a manufactured article.
[0076] FIG. 17 is a view for illustrating an example of a structure
of a manufactured article.
[0077] FIG. 18 is a view for illustrating an example of a structure
of a manufactured article.
[0078] FIG. 19 is a view for illustrating examples of data of
manufactured article specifications information concerning a
manufactured article illustrated in FIG. 18.
[0079] FIG. 20 is a view for illustrating examples of data of
manufactured article specifications information concerning the
manufactured article illustrated in FIG. 18.
[0080] FIG. 21 is a view showing a remainder left after detachment
of a printed circuit board assembly and a location at which the
remainder is to be cut.
[0081] FIG. 22 is a view for illustrating an example of output
images in the system according to the present invention.
[0082] FIG. 23 is a flow chart for illustrating a processing for
altering and outputting a treatment procedure according to the
present invention.
[0083] FIG. 24 is a flow chart for illustrating schematically a
processing for altering a treatment procedure and information
required for treatment.
[0084] FIG. 25 shows schematically and generally a configuration of
a manufactured article treatment processing system according to the
instant embodiment of the invention.
[0085] FIG. 26 shows an outer appearance and developed state of a
manufactured article, by way of example.
[0086] FIG. 27 illustrates treatment procedures for a manufactured
article shown in FIG. 26 as decided by a treatment procedure
decision means.
[0087] FIG. 28 shows pictorially field of treatment in a
treatment-entrusted factory.
[0088] FIG. 29 shows pictorially a treatment field together with an
exemplary system configuration and an example of a manufactured
article treated by the system as shown.
[0089] FIG. 30 is a view for illustrating an example of data of
article specifications information of a manufactured article.
[0090] FIG. 31 shows, by way of example, a facility list with which
a treatment-entrusted factory is equipped.
[0091] FIG. 32 shows an example of data of article specifications
information concerning a manufactured article.
[0092] FIG. 33 shows, by way of example, a facility list with which
a treatment-entrusted factory is equipped.
[0093] FIG. 34 shows examples of use-inhibited
materials/substances.
[0094] FIG. 35 shows, by way of example, a facility list with which
a treatment-entrusted factory is equipped.
[0095] FIG. 36 is shows an example of data of article
specifications information concerning a manufactured article.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0096] In the following, the present invention will be described by
reference to the drawings.
[0097] FIG. 1 shows schematically and generally a configuration of
a treatment processing system according to the present
invention.
[0098] As is shown in FIG. 1, the treatment processing system
according to the present invention is comprised of a reading means
1 for reading information affixed to a manufactured article being
subjected to treatment, a storage means 3 for storing a database of
information required for treating the manufactured article, a
treatment procedure decision means 4 for deciding a treatment
procedure for the manufactured article of concern by referencing
the information concerning the treatment of the manufactured
article as contained in the database stored in the above-mentioned
storage means 3 on the basis of the information affixed to the
manufactured article which is read out by the reading means 1, and
an output means 5 for outputting the result of the decision made by
the above-mentioned treatment procedure decision means 4.
[0099] In the treatment processing system, now under consideration
by reading out the manufactured article information affixed to the
manufactured article by the reading means 1 and by referencing the
information concerning the factory facilities as stored in the
storage means 3, the treatment procedure to be adopted in a factory
or workshop is determined. Referring to FIGS. 2 to 6 and FIGS. 30
to 35, description will be made of the processings executed by the
treatment processing system of the configuration described above,
which processings include, by way of example, determination of the
treatment procedure corresponding to the equipment or facilities of
a factory or workshop, determination of the treatment procedure in
consideration of the capability of the factory facilities, f
determination of the treatment procedure in the case where a
manufactured article of concern contains a part or parts to be
segregated or separated, determination of the treatment procedure
on the basis of cost involved in the treatment, and . . .
determination of a treatment procedure in the case where valuable
things are contained in the manufactured article.
[0100] FIG. 2 is a view showing schematically in a flow chart the
processings for determining the treatment procedure corresponding
or pertinent to the factory facility and outputting the determined
procedure in the treatment processing system according to the
present invention.
[0101] At first, the article information affixed to a manufactured
article 21 being subjected to the treatment is acquired (step
100).
[0102] As the article information, there are required at least the
information concerning the separation procedures for taking out
component parts from the manufactured article and the information
concerning the facility or equipment demanded for the execution of
the separation procedure, as illustrated in FIG. 30. Needless to
say, the information concerning the separation procedure as well as
the facilities information required for executing the separation
procedures are stored, being associated with each other.
[0103] Describing briefly the separation procedure illustrated in
FIG. 30, there are shown a procedure for taking out a box-like
member by separation screws Nos. 5, 6 and 7 with the aid of a
screw-driver having a crosshead and a procedure for removing a
cover and a printed circuit board assembly by moving them
upwardly.
[0104] On the other hand, the information concerning the equipment
or facilities of the treatment-entrusted factory is made available
from the storage means 3 (step 200).
[0105] As the information concerning the facilities of the
treatment-entrusted factory, there is required at least a facility
list enumerating facilities which the treatment-entrusted factory
is equipped with, as illustrated in FIG. 31. In the case of the
instant exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that the information
concerning the facilities and the information concerning the
objects for the treatment are stored, being associated with each
other. However, it is not always necessary to store the objects for
the treatment.
[0106] Subsequently, the procedure for treating the manufactured
article in the treatment-entrusted factory is determined on the
basis of the information acquired in the above-mentioned steps 100
and 200 (step 300).
[0107] More specifically, the facilities or equipment required for
carrying out the treatment procedure is compared with the facility
list provided for the factory to thereby select the facilities
which are required for the treatment procedure and which the
factory is equipped with.
[0108] Next, the treatment procedure for the manufactured article
in the above-mentioned treatment-entrusted factory as determined in
the above-mentioned step 300 is outputted (step 400).
[0109] In this manner, the treatment procedures corresponding to
the treatment facilities of the individual factories are
selectively outputted. Thus, each of the individual factories can
carry out the treatment of the manufactured article which is suited
to each factory. To say in another way, according to the teachings
of the present invention, proper and appropriate treatment
procedures corresponding or pertinent to the factory facilities can
be designated for all the manufactured articles, whereby improper
treatment for any manufactured article can be excluded, which in
turn means that the efficiency of the treatment can be
enhanced.
[0110] Parenthetically, there are illustrated in FIG. 30 two
different separation procedures. However, it goes without saying
that the invention can equally find application to the case where
more than two different separation procedures exist.
[0111] Further, by storing the objects for the treatment and the
treatment capacity in association with the facilities information
for thereby allowing the object for the treatment and the treatment
capacity to be determined in addition to the presence or absence of
the facilities, there can be established availably the treatment
procedure which is suited for each of the individual factories and
which can ensure high reliability for the treatment procedure.
[0112] Next, a flow of the treatments in the treatment processing
system according to the present invention will be described by
taking into consideration the capability of the factory facility
(in respect to the sizes susceptible to the treatment) by reference
to FIG. 3.
[0113] At first, the article information affixed to the
manufactured article 21 being subjected to the treatment is
acquired (step 100).
[0114] As the article information, there may be demanded in
addition to the information shown in FIG. 30 the information
concerning the dimensions or sizes of the manufactured article and
the component parts, the materials or substances of the component
parts and the installed positions or locations of the component
parts, as is illustrated in FIG. 32. In the case of the example
illustrated in FIG. 32, it is assumed that a three-dimensional CAD
drawing or the like is made use of for acquiring the information
concerning the locations of the component parts. However, the
present invention is never restricted to such measures.
Parenthetically, by using the three-dimensional CAD drawing, the
information concerning the dimensions of the manufactured article
and the component parts and the locations or the installed
positions of the component parts can be easily made available from
the design drawing.
[0115] On the other hand, the information concerning the equipment
or facilities of the treatment-entrusted factory is acquired from
the storage means 3 (step 200).
[0116] As the information concerning the facilities of the
treatment-entrusted factory, i.e., the factory in charge of the
treatment, there may be mentioned, by way of example, information
as to what kind of treatments the facilities are designed for (i.e.
kinds of the facilities) and treatment-destined object condition
information indicating the conditions of the objects which enable
the facilities to carry out the treatments, as is illustrated in
FIG. 33. Parenthetically, in the case of the examples shown in FIG.
33, there are stored the information concerning the objects capable
of undergoing the treatments and the dimensions which permit the
treatments. However, the present invention is never restricted to
such information. What is required is the information indicating
the capabilities of the facilities or equipment.
[0117] Subsequently, the procedure for treating the manufactured
article to be carried out in the treatment-entrusted factory is
determined on the basis of the information acquired in the
above-mentioned steps 100 and 200, respectively, (step 300).
[0118] More specifically, the materials/substances of the component
parts are compared with the objects capable of being treated by the
facilities installed in the treatment-entrusted factory to thereby
selectively determine the treatment procedures inclusive of the
facilities destined for treating the relevant component parts.
[0119] By taking into account the materials/substances of the
component parts and the objects destined for the treatments by the
facilities installed in the factory, the treatment procedures which
can be actually carried out by the facilities in the factory can be
selectively determined, whereby the proper and appropriate
treatments pertinent to the factory can be realized.
[0120] In general, in the treatment processing system, almost all
of the segregated component parts undergo shredding treatment
except for some parts. Accordingly, it is preferred to compare the
sizes of the separated component parts with the sizes which enable
the separated parts to be charged into a shredder installed in the
factory of concern, to thereby decide
(1) whether or not the separated component parts can be charged
intact into the shredder, or
(2) whether or not cutting of the component parts is required as a
pretreatment.
[0121] When it is decided that the cutting of the component parts
is necessary, a command is issued for indicating that the component
parts of concern are to be cut into the sizes suited for being
charged into the shredder. In this conjunction, the component parts
may be cut selectively into halves, one-thirds or so which is
suited for charging into the shredder.
[0122] Next, the treatment procedure for the manufactured article
in the above-mentioned treatment-entrusted factory as determined in
the above-mentioned step 300 is outputted (step 400).
[0123] In this manner, the treatment procedures pertinent to the
treatment facilities of the individual factories, especially
capacities of the facilities, are selectively outputted. Thus, each
of the individual factories can carry out the treatment of the
manufactured article which is suited to each factory. To say in
another way, according to the teachings of the present invention,
proper and appropriate treatment procedures which are pertinent to
the factory or workshop facilities can be designated for all the
manufactured articles, whereby improper processing for any
manufactured article can be excluded. This in turn means that the
efficiency of the treatment can be enhanced.
[0124] Next, a flow of the treatment in the case where the
manufactured article of concern contains component parts to be
separated will be described by reference to FIG. 4.
[0125] At first, the manufactured article information affixed to
the manufactured article 21 being subjected to the treatment is
acquired (step 100).
[0126] As the article information, there is stored the information
concerning the dimensions or sizes of the manufactured article and
the component parts, materials or substances of the component parts
and the locations of the component parts, as is illustrated in FIG.
32. It is assumed that a three-dimensional CAD drawing or the like
is made use of for obtaining the information concerning the
locations of the component parts. However, the present invention is
never restricted to such measures. Of course, by making use of the
three-dimensional CAD drawing, the information concerning the
dimensions of the manufactured article and the component parts as
well as the locations of the component parts can be easily made
available from the design drawing.
[0127] On the other hand, the information concerning the statutory
regulations and standards and/or the information concerning
hazardous and harmful materials or substances are acquired from the
storage means 3 (step 200).
[0128] As examples of the information concerning the statutory
regulations and standards and/or the information concerning the
harmful/hazardous material/substance, there may be stored lead,
specified flons and/or the like as the use-inhibited
materials/substances as shown in FIG. 34. In the case of the
instant exemplary embodiment of the invention, the information
concerning the statutory regulations and standards is stored in a
statutory regulations/standards information database 32 with the
information concerning the harmful/hazardous materials/substances
being stored in a harmful/hazardous material/substance database
33.
[0129] Further, in the processing/treatment system now under
consideration, the information concerning the statutory regulations
and the hazardous materials/substances is managed, which can be
realized simply by managing entries representing the information
concerning the segregation or detachment of the component parts
from the manufactured article without incurring any problem.
[0130] Subsequently, the procedure for treating the manufactured
article in the treatment-entrusted factory is determined on the
basis of the information acquired in the above-mentioned steps 100
and 200, respectively (step 300).
[0131] More specifically, decision is made as to whether the
component parts of the manufactured article concerned contain the
materials or substances same as or equivalent to those stored as
the use-inhibited materials or substances. When this decision
results in affirmation, the information concerning the locations or
the installed-positions of the harmful part/hazardous materials to
be separated is extracted from the information concerning the
manufactured article read out as mentioned previously.
[0132] In succession, the output means 5 outputs the result
determined in the above-mentioned step 300 (step 400).
[0133] More specifically, presence/absence of the use-inhibited
materials/substances as well as the locations thereof, if present,
are outputted. As the output means to this end, it is preferred to
adopt the three-dimensional CAD. In accordance with the output
information, the component parts made of the use-inhibited
materials/substances can be distinctively or separately treated in
the treatment-entrusted factory. By way of example, the parts
formed of use-inhibited materials/substances may be stored with the
other component parts being crushed or shredded.
[0134] Further, a database storing the information concerning
various detachments or segregations may be provided, and the
contents of the database may be updated as occasion requires. Thus,
the harmful/hazardous materials/substances contained in the
manufactured articles can be treated in accordance with the
up-to-date information, whereby environmental disruption due to
unconscious discarding of harmful materials can be prevented. In
other words, by using the database mentioned above, a manufactured
article containing materials/substances which were not statutorily
deemed to be harmful can be treated in view of the statutory
regulations effective at the time of current treatment of the
manufactured article which may be considered as containing harmful
material in the light of the currently effective statutory
regulations.
[0135] Further, when the component parts to be separated or
segregated can be discriminatively grasped on a
material-by-material basis (on the basis of the specific properties
of the manufactured articles), the manufactured article can be
treated separately for the individual materials (on a specific
property basis). By way of example, component parts of a
manufactured article may be crushed and recovered on a
material-by-material basis.
[0136] Parenthetically, proper information may be previously
imparted to the manufactured article itself without resorting to
the use of the statutory regulations or the like information
database.
[0137] Next, description will be directed to the case where a
plurality of treatment procedures can be selected and where a given
one of the treatment procedures is to be selected on the basis of
cost involved in the facilities by referring to examples shown in
FIG. 5.
[0138] At first, the article information affixed to the
manufactured article 21 to be subjected to the treatment is
acquired (step 100).
[0139] As the article information, there are required at least the
information concerning the separation procedures for taking out
component parts from the manufactured article and the information
concerning the facility or equipment demanded for the execution of
the separation procedure, as illustrated in FIG. 30. Needless to
say, the information concerning the separation procedure and the
information concerning the facilities required for executing the
separation procedures are stored, being associated with each
other.
[0140] On the other hand, the information concerning the equipment
or facilities of the treatment-entrusted factory is fetched from
the storage means 3 (step 200).
[0141] As the information concerning the facilities of the
treatment-entrusted factory, there is required at least a facility
list enumerating facilities which the treatment-entrusted factory
is equipped with and the costs involved in the treatments, as
illustrated in FIG. 35. In the case of the instant exemplary
embodiment, it is assumed that the information concerning the
objects for the treatment and the information concerning sizes of
the parts capable of committing to the treatment are stored, being
associated with each other. However, it is not always necessary to
store them.
[0142] Subsequently, the procedure for treating the manufactured
article in the treatment-entrusted factory is determined on the
basis of the information acquired in the above-mentioned steps 100
and 200 (step 300).
[0143] More specifically, the facilities or equipment required for
carrying out the treatment procedure is compared with the
facilities which the factory is equipped with and which are listed,
to thereby select the facilities which are required for the
treatment procedure and which the factory is equipped with.
[0144] For the treatment procedure as selected, the cost involved
in carrying out the treatment in accordance with the procedure as
selected is arithmetically determined. To this end, there are
conceivable a variety of calculation methods. By way of example,
the cost may be arithmetically determined on the basis of the data
shown in FIG. 35. In the case of the instant exemplary embodiment,
it is presumed that the treatment cost per minute is stored.
Accordingly, the service times of the facilities on an average is
previously determined on the basis of the size of the manufactured
article to be treated and stored. For determining the treatment
cost, the service time of each facility is multiplied with the
treatment cost per unit time, whereon a total sum is determined by
adding together the costs involved in the individual treatment
processes, respectively.
[0145] Consequently, when a plurality of treatment procedures are
extracted, the treatment costs of all treatment procedures are
calculated and the procedure involving the lowest one among the
costs as calculated is selected.
[0146] In succession. the treatment procedure for the manufactured
article in the above-mentioned treatment-entrusted factory as
determined in the above-mentioned step 300 is outputted (step
400).
[0147] In this manner, the most inexpensive treatment procedures
corresponding to the treatment facilities of the individual
factories are selectively outputted. Thus, each of the individual
factories can carry out effectively the treatments for the
manufactured article. To say in another way, according to the
teachings of the present invention, proper and most inexpensive
treatment procedures pertinent to the facility or facilities of the
factory can be designated for all of the manufactured articles,
whereby the efficiency of the treatment can be enhanced.
[0148] Next, description will turn to an exemplary case where
valuable things are contained in the manufactured article and where
decision is to be made whether or not the valuable things are to be
removed on the basis of the market prices of the valuable things or
the like by reference to FIG. 6.
[0149] At first, the article information affixed to the
manufactured article 21 to be subjected to the treatment is
acquired (step 100).
[0150] As the article information, there are required at least the
information concerning the separation procedures for taking out
component parts from the manufactured article and the information
concerning the facilities or equipment demanded for the execution
of the separation procedure, as illustrated in FIG. 30. Needless to
say, the information concerning the separation procedure and the
information concerning the facilities required for executing the
separation procedures are associated with each other for storage
thereof.
[0151] On the other hand, the information concerning the equipment
or facilities of the treatment-entrusted factory is acquired from
the storage means 3 (step 200).
[0152] As the information concerning the facilities of the
treatment-entrusted factory, there is required at least the
information concerning the facilities which the treatment-entrusted
factory is equipped with and the costs involved in the treatment,
as illustrated in FIG. 35. In the case of the instant exemplary
embodiment, it is assumed that the information concerning the
objects for the treatment and the information concerning the sizes
of the manufactured article capable of committing to the treatment
are stored, being associated with each other. However, this is not
always necessary. In the case of the instant exemplary embodiment
of the invention, the information concerning the facilities of the
treatment-entrusted treatment-entrusted factory is stored in a
treatment-entrusted factory specifications information database
34.
[0153] Subsequently, the procedure for treating the manufactured
article in the treatment-entrusted factory is determined on the
basis of the information acquired in the above-mentioned steps 100
and 200 (step 300).
[0154] Namely, the processings described below are executed.
[0155] At first, information concerning the valuable things is read
out from a market information database 35 to be inputted to the
treatment procedure decision means 4. In this conjunction, the
market information database 35 may store the purchase prices of the
component parts, materials and the like on the market. Further,
there may be stored in the market information database 35 in
addition to the information concerning the purchase prices of the
valuable things, the information concerning the demand for the
valuable things, and the information concerning charging prices for
the treatment of the harmful/hazardous materials/substances.
[0156] Subsequently, the information concerning the parts and the
materials stored as the valuable things (e.g. material/substance
names, material/substance numbers, part names, part numbers,
purchase prices and the like) is selectively extracted from the
abovementioned information concerning the valuable things as
inputted.
[0157] In succession, the information concerning the component
parts of the manufactured article is compared with the information
concerning the parts and the materials of the above-mentioned
valuable things selectively extracted, to thereby make decision as
to whether or not there exist any component parts which are the
valuable things.
[0158] If the above decision results in affirmation, the market
prices of the valuable things are arithmetically determined on the
basis of the information stored in the market information database
35.
[0159] On the other hand, the most inexpensive treatment procedure
(i.e., the treatment procedure which does not lead to destruction
of the parts determined as the valuable things) which can be
realized with the facility of the factory is selected, as described
hereinbefore in conjunction with the processing flow shown in FIG.
5. For selecting the treatment procedure involving no destruction
of the valuable parts, such scheme, for example, may be adopted in
which the treatment procedure of concern is selected from those in
which the shredder is not used.
[0160] Next, the cost involved in the works for separation or
segregating the parts inclusive of the valuable things as
calculated as mentioned above is compared with the purchase price
information of the parts including valuable things as extracted as
mentioned above, to thereby make decision whether or not the
treatment-entrusted factory can gain profits.
[0161] When profits are expected, the treatment procedure is
executed by the treatment processing system. On the other hand,
unless profits can be expected, the most inexpensive treatment
procedure is again selected from those which can be realized by
employing the facilities which the factory is equipped with, and
the treatment is executed in accordance with the selected treatment
procedure.
[0162] By executing the treatment procedure while taking into
consideration the reuse of the valuable things in this way, there
can be provided less expensive treatment procedure, whereby
effective treatment can be realized.
[0163] Next, referring to FIGS. 7 to 22, and FIG. 36, description
will be directed to a more concrete example of the treatment
processing system implemented operatively by a combination of the
exemplary embodiments described hereinbefore.
[0164] The treatment processing system shown in FIG. 7 is mainly
comprised of a reading means 1 for reading information affixed to a
manufactured article 21 subjected to the treatment, a storage means
3 for storing a database of information required for treating the
manufactured articles, a treatment procedure decision means 4 for
deciding a treatment procedure for the manufactured article of
concern by referencing the information affixed to the manufactured
article and read out by the reading means 1 and the information
concerning the treatment of the manufactured article contained in
the database stored in the above-mentioned storage means 3, and an
output means 5 for outputting the results of the decision made
concerning the discarded articles by the above-mentioned decision
means 4.
[0165] The reading means 1 may be provided with at least one of an
information output terminal coupling connector 11, a radio
information receiver unit 12, an article information storage drive
unit 13. a keyboard 14 or a mouse 15 and a bar code reader 16
although it depends on the structure of the manufactured article of
concern.
[0166] At this juncture, structures and storage information of
manufactured articles will be illustrated, by way of examples, in
FIGS. 15 to 17.
[0167] FIG. 15 shows an example of the manufactured article having
such a structure in which the article information thereof is
extracted by way of an article information output terminal 21h
which serves as a terminal for external connection.
[0168] The manufactured article 21 having the article information
includes an article information storage unit 21a for storing the
specifications, a use history of the manufactured article and an
article information output terminal 21h for outputting the article
information.
[0169] The article information storage unit 21a is further
comprised of an article use-history information storage unit 21g
for storing a history of the manufactured article and an article
specifications information storage unit 21b storing the
specifications of the manufactured article.
[0170] The article use-history information storage unit 21g is
provided with a power on/off detecting unit 21c for detecting
power-on/off of a power supply incorporated in the manufactured
article, a power supply duration measuring unit 21e for measuring a
power supply duration of the manufactured article in accordance
with a signal issued from the power supply on/off detecting unit
21c and a use-history information accumulating unit 21f for storing
the result of measurement outputted from the power supply duration
measuring unit 21e. Parenthetically, the use-history information
accumulating unit 21f may be so implemented as to store the number
of times the power supply is turned on/off.
[0171] Further, the article use-history information storage unit
21g may be equipped with an environmental temperature detecting
unit 21d for measuring environmental or ambient temperature at
which the manufactured article is used, to thereby store the
results of the detection in the use-history information storing
unit 21d.
[0172] By managing the use-history information of the manufactured
article such as, for example, the power supply duration, the
environmental temperature, etc. in this way, treatment procedures
can be determined in the treatment processing system according to
the present invention described later on.
[0173] Furthermore, the article specifications information storage
unit 21b stores unique identification information such as
manufacturer name, category of the manufactured article, etc.,
article specifications information such as article size, weight,
component parts, etc. and treatment information such as
disassembling method, assembling method or the like.
[0174] FIGS. 16 and 17 show other examples of the manufactured
article.
[0175] In the case of the manufactured article shown in FIG. 16, an
information signal sender unit 21h is mounted in place of the
article information output terminal 21h. With regards to the other
respects, the article shown in FIG. 16 is similar to the one shown
in FIG. 15.
[0176] With the structure of the manufactured article now under
consideration, reading of the information concerning the
manufactured article can be realized wirelessly.
[0177] Similarly, in the case of the manufactured article shown in
FIG. 17, the article information storage unit 21 is implemented as
a removable unit, which of course involves no problems in practical
applications.
[0178] As is apparent from the above, the specifications
information, the use history information, the treatment information
and the like can be managed internally of the manufactured article
precedingly, so that these information can be read out by the
treatment processing system according to the present invention.
[0179] Accordingly, the reading means 1 will have to be equipped
with the facilities or units mentioned below in order to cope with
the treatments of the manufactured articles described above.
[0180] Firstly, in the case of the manufactured article equipped
with the article specifications information storage unit 21b
storing the information concerning the manufactured article of
concern and the article information output terminal 21h for
delivering externally the information of the manufactured article,
as in the case of the manufactured article 21 shown in FIG. 15, the
reading means has to be provided with an information output
terminal coupling connector 11 which is adapted to be connected to
the article information output terminal of the manufactured article
of concern for reading out the article information.
[0181] Further, in the case of the manufactured article internally
equipped with the article specifications information storage unit
21b storing the information concerning the manufactured article of
concern and the information signal sender unit 21n having the
function for outputting wirelessly the information of the
manufactured article, as in the case of the manufactured article
shown in FIG. 16, the reading means has to be provided with an
information receiver unit 12 for receiving wirelessly the article
information from the manufactured article.
[0182] Further, in the case of the manufactured article equipped
with the removable-type article information storage unit 21i, as in
the case of the manufactured article shown in FIG. 17, the reading
means 1 has to be provided with an article information storage
drive unit 13 for driving the separated article information storage
unit 21i.
[0183] Furthermore, the reading means 1 may be equipped with a
keyboard 14 and a mouse 15 for inputting manually the article
information labeled on the casing of the manufactured article 21 by
reading the information visually.
[0184] Alternatively, the reading means may be equipped with a bar
code reader 16 for reading out the article information indicated in
the form of a bar code on the casing or the like of the discarded
article.
[0185] Next, description will turn to the database stored in the
storage means 3.
[0186] As the databases, there may be provided an article
specifications information database 31 for storing the
specifications information of various manufactured articles, a
statutory regulations/standards information database 32 for storing
information concerning a variety of statutory regulations and
standards, a harmful/hazardous material/substance database 33 for
storing the information concerning the harmful/hazardous
materials/substances, a treatment-entrusted factory specifications
database 34 for storing information regarding the sorts or types of
the facilities for treating the Manufactured articles which the
factory in charge of carrying out the treatment is equipped with,
the treatment-destined object condition information indicating the
conditions of the objects capable of undergoing the treatments by
the facilities as well as the costs involved in the treatment, and
a market information database 35 for storing information concerning
the market quotation of the price of the valuable things such as
usable manufactured articles, usable parts, materials/substances
for reuse, materials for fuel and the information concerning the
demand for the valuable things and the like.
[0187] The statutory regulations/standards information database 32
stores therein the information concerning the statutory regulations
and standards in various countries, as can be seen in FIG. 8. The
statutory regulation information may be obtained from the official
gazettes or the like by individual enterprises, a given corporation
or the like and stored in the statutory regulations/standards
information database 32 as generated.
[0188] Similarly, the information concerning the standards can be
obtained from the organization in charge of controlling the
standards and stored in the database. In that case, it is preferred
to prepare the database by arranging orderly the information on the
basis of categories of the manufactured articles.
[0189] In the statutory regulations/standards information database
32 shown in FIG. 8, the statutory regulations are stored on an
article category basis in an address heading field (1). On the
other hand, there are stored in an address heading field (2) the
statutory regulations/standards in the individual countries in
correspondence to the addresses for the categories of the
manufactured articles, respectively. Further, entries such as the
use-inhibited materials/substances are stored in an address heading
field (3) in correspondence to the statutory regulations/standards
in the individual countries, respectively, with the data contents
corresponding to the entries, respectively, being also stored.
[0190] In the case of the example shown in FIG. 8, the Electric
Appliance And Material Control Law is adopted as the statutory
regulations common to the categories, wherein lead, specified flons
and the like are designated as materials or substances whose use is
statutorily inhibited.
[0191] On the other hand, in the harmful/hazardous
material/substance database 33, there is stored the information
concerning the harmful/hazardous materials/substances as well as
the treatment methods thereof. The information is also managed as a
database implemented in the form of tables on a material/part basis
by the enterprise or a given corporation.
[0192] In the article specifications information database 35, there
is previously stored the information concerning the article
specifications, as illustrated in FIG. 9. This information is also
stored orderly in the form of a database on the basis of
manufacturers, categories of manufactured articles, model names and
others, respectively, by the individual enterprises or a
corporation entrusted by the enterprises. The article
specifications information is affixed to each of manufactured
articles upon shipping thereof.
[0193] In the article specifications information database 31 shown
in FIG. 9, basic information, design information, and the like are
stored in the address heading fields. There exist such data which
correspond to the addresses of the address heading fields,
respectively. The data portion corresponding to the basic
information may contain the categories of the manufactured articles
indicating the names of the manufactured articles, manufacturer
names, model names, manufacturing numbers and the like. Similarly,
the data portion corresponding to the design information contains
screen sizes, outer dimensions and the like. Further, as the design
information (2), there are stored the information concerning the
names of the component parts, materials/substances thereof,
material/part manufacturers, grade, weight, number, dimensional
information and the intra-article part location information.
Additionally, there may be stored such information which concerns
disassembling or disintegrating procedures, reuse-destined parts,
use history, part exchange dates, etc., respectively, as the
component part information. These article specifications
information may be stored on a manufactured article basis or stored
en bloc for all the manufactured articles as a database.
[0194] In the market information database 35, there are stored the
information which concerns the market quotation prices of the
valuable things such as the used articles, used parts,
materials/substances for recycling, fuel-destined
materials/substances and the like, the information concerning the
demand for the valuable things mentioned above, stock information
of the parts for the purpose of maintenance, management and so
forth internally of the enterprise or by the corporation entrusted,
as shown in FIG. 10.
[0195] The market information database 35 shown in FIG. 10 stores
therein the market prices of the used articles on an article type
basis so that the market price information can be obtained when the
restored article such as the restored televisions are to be
recycled as the used article. Besides, the information concerning
the market prices of the used parts is also stored so that the
market prices of the component parts of the manufactured article
can be made available when they are to be recycled as the used
parts. Similarly, the purchase price information, the demand
information and other for the valuable materials/substances for
recycling may be stored on a material-by-material basis or
additionally on a grade basis (e.g. on the basis of grade, purity
and the like indicated by virgin material manufacturer) and/or on
an application-by-application basis.
[0196] The treatment-entrusted factory specifications information
database 34 stores therein as the address leading the information
concerning the types of the equipment or facilities installed in
the treatment-entrusted factories for treating the manufactured
articles. the treatment-destined object condition information
indicating the conditions of the objects or articles which allow
them to be treated by the facilities and the costs involved in the
treatments. Such treatment-entrusted factory specifications
information database 34 may be provided on a treatment-entrusted
factory basis or for each workshop of a treatment-entrusted factory
when latter includes a plurality of workshops or alternatively the
treatment-entrusted factory specifications information database 34
may be provided in common to all the treatment-entrusted factories
or workshops.
[0197] Generations of the individual databases, works for inputting
the information to the individual databases as well as works for
maintenance/management of the data such as correction or alteration
thereof may be performed internally of each of the individual
enterprises. As an alternative, such works may be performed by a
common organization established by a plurality of manufacturers of
the same trade or by an official corporation or the like.
[0198] The entries of the address heading fields contain respective
data. The information concerning the facilities which the factory
is equipped with is stored on a machine-type basis. By way of
example, there may be stored such facilities information as
shredders, cutters, etc,. Further, for each of categories, the
names of the facilities which are actually installed, the
treatment-destined objects, the treatment cost per unit time and
the like are entered. Parenthetically, the treatment-destined
objects represents the specified objects which can be treated by a
facility or equipment.
[0199] In this way, the facilities which the factory is equipped
with and more particularly the capability or capacity of the
facility as well as the treatment cost can be grasped.
[0200] Similarly, the costs for the various works involved in the
treatments are stored as the treatment work cost information.
[0201] The databases described so far are used selectively in
dependence of the applications for which the treatment processing
system according to the invention is employed. Thus, it is not
necessarily required to provide all of the databases described
above.
[0202] The treatment procedure decision means 4 includes the
following:
(1) Treatment Procedure Deciding/Generating Program Storage Unit
41
[0203] Stored in this storage unit is a treatment procedure
deciding/generating program which serves for deciding and
generating a treatment procedure for an manufactured article of
concern by referencing the information affixed to the manufactured
article and read out by the reading means 1 as well as the
information concerning the treatment of the manufactured article as
contained in the database stored in the above mentioned storage
means 3.
(2) Treatment Procedure Decision/Generation Unit 42
[0204] This unit serves to decide and generate the treatment
procedure for the manufactured article of concern by using the
above mentioned treatment procedure decision/generation program
stored in the treatment procedure deciding/generating program
storage unit 41 on the basis of the information affixed to the
manufactured article and read out by the reading means 1 and the
information concerning the treatment of the manufactured article as
contained in the database stored in the above mentioned storage
means 3.
(3) Treatment Procedure Deciding/Generating Program Altering Unit
43
[0205] With this unit, it is possible to alter the above-mentioned
treatment procedure deciding/generating program.
[0206] The output means 5 is connected to the treatment procedure
decision means by wire or wirelessly and includes a treatment
procedure transmitting unit 51 and a treatment facility control
information output unit 52 described below.
(1) Treatment Procedure Transmitting Unit 51
[0207] This unit serves for indicating the results of the above
mentioned treatment procedure decision to a worker(s) of a
treatment-entrusted factory. As the apparatus to this end, there
may be mentioned an apparatus for displaying the treatment
procedure in terms of image information and/or character
information by means of a display device 53 such as television,
display monitor or the like and a voice transmitting unit 54 for
transmitting the results of the treatment procedure decision by
voice by using a loudspeaker and the information output printer 55
for the result of the treatment procedure decision by generating
the output in the form of printed matter such a sheet of paper
printed with characters, symbols, bar codes or the like.
(2) Treatment Facility Control Information Output Unit 52
[0208] This unit serves to transmit the treatment procedure
information decided by the above-mentioned treatment procedure
decision means to a treatment facility control unit for controlling
the facility or facilities installed in the treatment-entrusted
factory. Transmission may be realized by wire or wirelessly.
[0209] Next, referring to FIG. 7, description will be made of
operation of the treatment processing system according to the
present invention for determining and outputting the treatment
procedures for deciding the component parts which contain hazardous
material/substance or harmful material/substance which are to be
segregated from the manufactured article, the treatment-destined
object.
[0210] Description will be made by taking as example the treatment
for an manufactured article (circuit board unit) shown in FIG.
18.
[0211] Referring to FIG. 18, there is shown a manufactured article
21 composed of a box-like housing 211, a cover 212, a printed
circuit board assembly 213, screws 214 and a rating label 215. The
box-like housing 211 has snap-fit claws 212b mounted thereon for
holding the printed circuit board assembly 213, while the cover 212
is equipped with hooks 212a adapted to mate with the snap-fit flaws
212b, respectively.
[0212] The rating label 215 carries the article specifications
information in the form of a bar code.
[0213] FIGS. 19 and 20 shows examples of the data carried by the
manufactured article (name: circuit board unit) shown in FIG.
18.
[0214] As the manufactured article specifications information,
there are stored basic information/design information concerning
the component parts (1), design information concerning dimensions
or sizes (2) and design information concerning the disassembling or
disintegrating procedure for the manufactured article (3), as shown
by the entries in the address headers, respectively.
[0215] The basic information includes the information unique to the
manufactured article such as the types or species of the
manufactured article, manufacturer name. model name and the
like.
[0216] The design information (1) carries information concerning
the materials/substances, weights and the like of the box-like
housing, the cover, the printed circuit board assembly and others
which are the component parts of the manufactured article 21.
[0217] The design information (2) carries the dimensions or sizes
of the manufactured article and the component parts, the locations
of the component parts and the like in the form of
three-dimensional CAD data.
[0218] The design information (3) carries the separation procedures
for the component parts, wherein the separation procedures cover
both the case where the component parts are separated by breaking
them and the case where the component parts are separated without
being broken.
[0219] For removing the box-like housing, such stored procedure is
adopted that the screws Nos. 5, 6 and 7 are taken out by means of a
screw-driver having a cross-head, whereon the cover and the printed
circuit board assembly are separated by moving them upwardly.
[0220] Similarly, for separation the printed circuit board assembly
without breakage, such stored procedure is adopted that the screws
Nos. 5, 6 and 7 are taken out by means of a screw-driver having a
cross-head, whereon the cover and the printed circuit board
assembly are separated by moving them upwardly. On the other hand,
in case the printed circuit board assembly is separated by breaking
it, the manufactured article is cut in a predetermined pattern,
whereon the cover and the board are removed upwardly.
[0221] In the case of the removal which is accompanied with
breakage, relevant detailed information is additionally affixed, as
shown in FIG. 20. More specifically, the manufactured article
cutting positions and the separation procedure in succession to the
cutting are stored as the disintegrating information in a
predetermined format.
[0222] Although two different separation procedures are
illustrated, it goes without saying that plural different types of
separation procedures may be adopted in conjunction with the
detachment accompanied with destruction or breakage of the
manufactured article and the detachment without breakage of the
manufactured article. Further. it is not necessarily required to
make distinction between the disintegrating information with
breakage and the disassembling information without breakage.
[0223] Subsequently, the facilities required for executing the
separation procedures are registered in correspondence to these
separation procedures, respectively. Thus, it is possible to select
the treatment procedure which can be realized by the existing or
available facility which the factory is equipped with, an example
of which is shown in FIG. 36.
[0224] By way of example, the disassembling procedure 1 shown in
FIG. 36 is presumed to be carried out without destroying the
manufactured article. This procedure requires a screw-driver for
dismantling the box-like housing and others and a shredder for
shredding the segregated parts.
[0225] Although the information concerning the dimensions of the
manufactured article and the component parts as well as the
information concerning the locations or positions of the component
parts internally of the manufactured article are shown in the form
of the three-dimensional CAD data in FIGS. 19 and 20, this is only
for the purpose of illustration. These information may be given as
the two-dimensional CAD data. Further, as other dimensional
information having a high degree of necessity, there may be
mentioned location information for the manufactured article which
carries the information concerning locations along which the
component parts are to be separated (joints between the component
parts, to say in another way).
[0226] Now referring to a flow chart of FIG. 12, description will
be made of the procedure for treating the manufactured article
mentioned above with the treatment processing system shown in FIG.
7.
(Step 301: Reading/Inputting of the Information Concerning the
Manufactured Article)
[0227] The information concerning the manufactured article 21 which
is the object for treatment is read out not only from the rating
label 215 affixed to the manufactured article but also from the
article specifications information database 31 as occasion
requires, whereon the information as read out is inputted to the
treatment procedure decision means 4. When the information
concerning the manufactured article is stored in the article
specifications information database 31, then only the information
capable of identifying the manufactured article may be written on
the rating label. In that case, the article specifications
information database is retrieved on the basis of the information
capable of identifying the manufactured article to thereby extract
the relevant detailed design information and others. However, the
information concerning the manufactured article is never restricted
to the above. The information may be contained in the manufactured
article itself or stored in an external storage unit such as the
manufactured article specifications database.
[0228] At this juncture, it should be mentioned that the
information concerning the relevant manufactured article 21 as read
out contains at least the information concerning the component
parts of the manufactured article 21, the information concerning
the materials/substances of the component parts and the information
concerning the location or positions of the component parts in the
manufactured article as well as the information concerning the
disassembling procedure. Further, the dimensional information may
be added as occasion requires.
[0229] In the case of the manufactured article shown in FIG. 18,
contents printed on the rating label 215 in the form of a bar code
(manufacturer name, article name, model, manufacture No.) is read
out by means of the bar code reader 16, whereon the manufactured
article specifications information for the article 21 is read out
from the manufactured article specifications information database
on the basis of the read-out information to be subsequently
inputted to the treatment procedure decision means 4.
(Step 302: Selection of the Information Concerning the Component
Parts Constituting the Manufactured Article)
[0230] Next, as a preparation for making decision as to whether the
component parts of the manufactured article of concern contain any
harmful/hazardous material/substance, the information concerning
the component parts constituting the manufactured article concerned
(part names, part Nos., materials/substances and the like) is
selectively extracted from the abovementioned manufactured article
information as inputted.
(Step 303: Reading/Inputting of the Information Concerning the
Harmful/Hazardous Materials/Substances)
[0231] As an additional preparation for making decision as to
whether the component parts of the manufactured article concerned
contain any harmful/hazardous material/substance, the information
concerning the harmful/hazardous materials/substances to be
segregated (see FIG. 8) is read out from the statutory
regulations/standards information database 32 and the
harmful/hazardous material/substance database 33 and inputted to
the treatment procedure decision means 4.
(Step 304: Selection of the Information Concerning Harmful Parts
and Materials/Substances and the Information Concerning Hazardous
Parts and Materials/Substances)
[0232] In succession, the information concerning the harmful parts
and the materials/substances thereof as well as the information
concerning the hazardous parts and the materials/substances thereof
(part names, part numbers or Nos., materials/substances, etc.) is
selectively extracted from the above-mentioned input information
concerning the harmful/hazardous materials/substances to be
segregated.
(Step 305: Decision as to Whether or not Harmful Parts/Hazardous
Parts to be Separated are Contained in the Manufactured
Article)
[0233] Next, the information concerning the component parts
constituting the concerned manufactured article (part names, part
Nos., materials/substances, etc.) as extracted selectively in the
step 302 is compared with the information concerning the harmful
parts to be segregated and the materials/substances thereof as well
as the information concerning the hazardous parts and the
materials/substances thereof (part names, part numbers or Nos.,
materials/substances, etc.) as extracted selectively in the step
304, to thereby make decision as to presence/absence of the
harmful/hazardous materials/substances to be segregated in the
component parts of the manufactured article of concern.
[0234] To this end, decision may be made as to whether the
materials/substances are same or not or whether the part Nos. are
same or not. To this end, identification information for
discriminatively indicating whether or not harmful material or
hazardous material is contained in the component parts may be
affixed to the manufactured article or stored in the database
incorporated in the treatment processing system. In this
conjunction, however, it is expected that recognition of the
harmful/hazardous material/substance may differ between the time
points of shipping the manufactured article and the waste treatment
thereof. Accordingly, the identification information must be of
universal nature unique and corresponding to the characteristics of
the component parts, respectively.
[0235] When the decision in the step 305 results in the presence,
the processing proceeds to a step 306 while proceeding to a step
309, if otherwise.
[0236] In the case of the manufactured article 21, the comparison
of both the information mentioned above will show that the printed
circuit board assembly 213 contains lead (Pb). Accordingly,
decision will be made to the effect that the printed circuit board
assembly 213 is a component part containing harmful substance.
Thus, the step 306 is executed.
(Step 306: Extraction of the Information Concerning the
Locations/Positions of the Harmful parts/hazardous parts to be
separated, part names, materials/substances, Separation Procedure,
Etc.)
[0237] The information concerning the locations/positions of the
harmful parts/hazardous parts to be separated, the disassembling or
separation procedure, etc. is extracted from the read-out
information concerning the manufactured article.
[0238] In the case of the manufactured article 21 shown in FIG. 18,
the information concerning the location at which the printed
circuit board assembly 213 is positioned, the separation procedure,
etc., is such as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20.
(Step 307: Reading/Inputting of the Information Concerning the
Facilities in the Treatment-Entrusted Factory)
[0239] The information concerning the facilities in the
treatment-entrusted factory is read out from the
treatment-entrusted factory specifications information database 34
to be inputted to the treatment procedure decision means 4.
[0240] The information concerning the facilities in the
treatment-entrusted factory which is in charge of treatment has
been described hereinbefore by reference to FIG. 11.
(Step 308: Determination of the Separation Procedure by Taking into
Account the Information Concerning the Facilities of the
Treatment-Entrusted Factory)
[0241] The separation procedure information for the component parts
to be separated as extracted in the step 306 is compared with the
information concerning the facilities of the treatment-entrusted
factory as read out in the step 307, to thereby select the
treatment procedure which can be executed with the facilities which
the treatment-entrusted factory is equipped with.
[0242] More specifically, the facilities of the relevant
treatment-entrusted factory are compared with those required for
the individual treatment procedures shown in FIG. 36, to thereby
select the treatment procedure that is treatable by the facilities
which the treatment-entrusted factory is equipped with.
[0243] As the separation procedure for the printed circuit board
assembly 213 of the manufactured article 21 shown in FIG. 18, there
are available two different procedures, i.e., the disassembling
procedure and the disintegrating procedure. In case both the
procedures mentioned above can be executed in the
treatment-entrusted factory concerned, there arises necessity for
selecting either one of the procedures mentioned above. According
to the teachings of the invention incarnated in the instant
embodiment, selection of the procedure is made on the basis of the
costs involved in carrying out the procedures.
[0244] A method of computing the costs involved in the treatment
procedures to be carried out in the treatment-entrusted factory
will be described below.
[0245] The costs required for the individual works contained in the
separation procedure which in turn is contained in the manufactured
article specifications information are arithmetically determined by
referencing a treatment-entrusted factory-based work cost
information table shown in FIG. 11, whereon the total sum of the
costs involved in the individual work procedures is calculated to
thereby select the work procedure of low cost through
comparison.
[0246] In the case of the example now under consideration, the
separation procedure based on the disintegrating procedure is
selected.
(Step 309: Reading/Inputting of the Information Concerning the
Facilities of the Treatment-Entrusted Factory)
[0247] Even for the manufactured article for which decision is made
that neither harmful parts nor the hazardous parts exist, the
information concerning the facilities of the treatment-entrusted
factory is read out from the treatment-entrusted factory
specifications information database 34 as in the case of the step
307, to be subsequently inputted to the treatment procedure
decision means 4.
(Step 310: Selection of the Information Concerning a Shredder from
the Information of the Facilities of the Treatment-Entrusted
Factory)
[0248] In the above-mentioned step 307 or 309, the information
concerning the shredder (treatable dimensions or sizes or the like)
is selectively extracted from the inputted information concerning
the facilities of the treatment-entrusted factory (see FIG. 11) in
the abovementioned step 307 or 309.
[0249] This is because almost all of the component parts (except
for these having harmful material/substance are destined to be
finally crushed in the treatment processing system.
[0250] Accordingly, some of the component parts may be reused or
discarded intact although it depends on the applications for which
the treatment processing system is designed to be employed.
(Step 311: Decision as to Whether Remainders Left after Detachment
of the Component Parts to be Segregated can be Crushed without any
Further Treatment)
[0251] The information concerning the dimensions/sizes of the
remainders left after the detachment of the component parts to be
segregated (or the information concerning the dimension of the
manufactured article itself when it is decided that no component
part to be separated exists) is determined on the basis of the
information concerning the manufactured article as read out in the
step 301 and compared with the above-mentioned information
concerning the shredder (treatable dimensions, sizes, etc.)
selectively extracted in the step 301, for making decision as
to:
[0252] (1) whether or not the remainders can be charged in the
shredder intact, and
[0253] (2) whether a cutting process is required as the
pretreatment.
[0254] When it is decided that the remainders can be charged into
the shredder, the processing proceeds to a step 312, while in case
the pretreatment is required, the processing proceeds to a step
313.
[0255] In the case where the manufactured article shown in FIG. 18
is to be treated in the treatment-entrusted factory shown in FIG.
11, the dimensions of the remainders left after the detachment of
the printed circuit board assembly 213 can be determined on the
basis of the information concerning the manufactured article
(dimensional information shown in FIG. 19 and the disintegration
procedure information shown in FIG. 20 in more concrete).
[0256] As a result, there will be left a portion (housing) of
270.+-.30'500'150, portions (housing, cover and screw) of
230.+-.30'500'150, and a portion (cover) of 230.+-.30'500'30,
respectively.
[0257] The above-mentioned dimension information is compared with
the dimensions treatable by an ordinary shredder as contained in
the facility information shown in FIG. 11, as a result of which
decision is made that all the three portions mentioned above can be
charged into the shredder.
(Step 312: Determination of Locations for Cutting on the Basis of
the Information Concerning the Manufactured Article)
[0258] On the basis of the dimensional information of the
remainders left after the detachment of the component parts to be
segregated and the information concerning the dimension or size
treatable by the shredder, the locations for cutting in precedence
to the shredding are determined.
[0259] In the case where the manufactured article shown in FIG. 18
is to be treated in the treatment-entrusted factory shown in FIG.
11, it is decided that the portions are cut into halves,
respectively, as shown in FIG. 21. As a method to this end, there
may be mentioned a method of sequentially reducing the size to one
second, one third and so forth until the dimensional requirement
for charging in the shredder can be met.
(Step 313: Outputting of the Treatment Procedure)
[0260] On the basis of the results of the decisions described so
far, the treatment procedure for treating the manufactured article
21 is generated to be outputted.
[0261] More specifically, the treatment procedure is generated by
adding to the shredding treatment procedure the undermentioned work
procedures as the pretreatment procedure preceding to the charging
in the shredder.
(1) A separation procedure in case the component parts to be
separated exist.
(2) A cutting procedure when cutting is required in precedence to
the shredding.
[0262] In the case where the manufactured article shown in FIG. 18
is to be treated in the treatment-entrusted factory shown in FIG.
11, the procedure is determined to be outputted in such a manner as
mentioned below:
[0263] "Since the manufactured article now of concern contains the
harmful part (printed circuit board assembly presence of lead),
detachment and recovery are to be realized in accordance with the
procedures mentioned below:
(1) The manufactured article is cut into halves by a cutter.
[0264] (2) From one half resulting from the cutting, the cover and
then the printed circuit board assembly are separated. Since the
printed circuit board assembly is secured at two locations by the
snap-fit claws, the latter are so deformed as to allow the printed
circuit board assembly to be released, whereon the separated
printed circuit board assembly is accommodated in a board recovery
box.
(3) Since the three different type portions can not be crushed
intact, each of them is cut into halves.
(4) Fragments resulting from the cutting are crushed by an ordinary
shredder."
[0265] An example of such output is illustrated in FIG. 22.
[0266] It goes without saying that the output format is not
restricted to the above but any suitable output format can be
adopted so for as the contents determined through the processing
flows described above can be comprehended.
[0267] Next, description will be directed to an exemplary
processing for determining and outputting a treatment procedure
including separation procedures for separation component parts from
an article subjected to treatment by a facility except for those
which can not meet the capability conditions of the facility.
[0268] FIG. 13 illustrates in a flow chart a processing for
generating/outputting the treatment procedure for a manufactured
article as executed by the treatment procedure decision means 4 of
the treatment processing system according to the instant embodiment
of the invention. In the following, description will be made
orderly.
(Step 321: Reading/Inputting of the Information Concerning the
Manufactured Article)
[0269] The information concerning the manufactured article 21 is
first read out not only from the information affixed to the
manufactured article 21 but also from the article specifications
information database 31 when occasion requires, whereon the
information as read out is inputted to the treatment procedure
decision means 4 similarly to the case of the processing flow
illustrated in FIG. 12.
(Step 322: Selection of the Information Concerning the Component
Parts Constituting the Manufactured Article)
[0270] Next, as a preparation for making decision as to whether the
component parts of the manufactured article of concern contain any
component parts to be separated, the information concerning the
component parts constituting the manufactured article of concern
(part names, part Nos., materials/substances and the like) is
selectively extracted from the above-mentioned manufactured article
information as inputted.
[0271] (Step 323: Reading/Inputting of the Information Concerning
the Facilities of the Treatment-Entrusted Factory)
[0272] Next, the information concerning the facilities of the
treatment-entrusted factory (see FIG. 11) is read out from the
treatment-entrusted factory specifications database 34 and inputted
to the treatment procedure decision means.
(Step 324: Selection of Conditions of the Treatment-Destined
Objects for the Facilities of the Treatment-Entrusted Factory)
[0273] In succession, the conditions of the treatment-destined
objects for the facilities of the treatment-entrusted factory (part
names, materials/substances, etc.) are selectively extracted from
the above-mentioned inputted information concerning the facilities
of the treatment-entrusted factory.
[0274] For example, when an ordinary shredder is made use of as one
of the facilities which the factory is equipped with, the
treatment-destined objects for the shredder will be other than the
harmful material/substance, the hazardous material/substance and
metal blocks. Accordingly, when the component parts such as metal
parts or blocks are present in the manufactured article, such a
separation procedure is adopted for separation the component parts
such as metal pieces or blocks from the manufactured article in
precedence to the charging or loading in the shredder and the
information thereof is stored in association with the facilities
information.
(Step 325: Decision as to Whether the Component Parts to be
Separated is Contained in the Manufactured Article)
[0275] In succession, the above information concerning the
component parts extracted selectively is compared with the
information concerning the facilities of the treatment-entrusted
factory for determining presence or absence of the component parts
to be separated. When this decision results in presence, the
processing proceeds to a step 326 while proceeding to a step 328,
if otherwise.
(Step 326: Extraction of the Information Concerning the Locations
or Positions of the Component Parts to be Separated, Part Names,
Materials/Substances, Separation Procedure, etc.)
[0276] The information concerning the locations or positions, the
part name, the materials/substances of the component parts to be
separated, the separation procedure, etc. is extracted from the
above-mentioned information concerning the manufactured article as
read out.
(Step 327: Determination of the Separation Procedure by Taking into
Account the Information Concerning the Facilities of the
Treatment-Entrusted Factory)
[0277] The separation procedure information for the component parts
to be separated as read out in the step 326 is compared with the
information concerning the facilities of the treatment-entrusted
factory read out in the step 323, to thereby determine the
treatment procedure which can be executed with the facilities
installed in the treatment-entrusted factory and which involves low
cost in the treatment.
[0278] More specifically, the treatment procedures for separation
the component parts of metal material is stored in association with
the facilities information. Accordingly, when the ordinary shredder
is made use of, the procedure suited for separation the metallic
component parts is selected. Further, when a plurality of such
separation procedures are available, the procedure involving the
lowest cost in the treatment is selected.
[0279] A method of calculating the treatment cost is similar to
that described hereinbefore by reference to FIG. 12.
[0280] Subsequently, similarly to the flow of processings
illustrated in FIG. 12, the information concerning the shredder is
selected from the information concerning the facilities which the
treatment-entrusted factory is equipped with (step 328), whereon
decision is made as to whether the remainders left after the
detachment of the component parts to be segregated can be crushed
intact (step 329) while the locations where the component part(s)
is to be cut or sheared is determined on the basis of the result of
the above decision (step 330). The treatment procedure thus
determined is then outputted (step 331).
[0281] Next, referring to FIG. 14, description will be made of an
exemplary processing for determining discriminatively valuable
component part(s) to be segregated from the manufactured article
being subjected to the treatment and deciding a treatment procedure
covering the separation procedure for the valuable things and to be
outputted.
[0282] FIG. 14 illustrates in a flow chart the processings for
generating and outputting a treatment procedure for a manufactured
article by the treatment procedure decision means 4 of the
treatment processing system according to the instant embodiment of
the invention. The flow of the processing is substantially similar
to that shown in FIG. 12 except for the respect that the cost
involved in separation the valuable things is compared with the
dealing price on the market to thereby decide whether or not the
valuable things are to be separated. In the following, description
will be made orderly.
[0283] Processings for reading/inputting of the information
concerning the manufactured article (step 341) and selecting the
information concerning the component parts constituting the
manufactured article (step 342) are similar to those illustrated in
FIG. 12. Thus, description therefor will be omitted.
(Step 343: Reading/Inputting of the Information Concerning Valuable
Things)
[0284] Next, the information concerning the valuable things (see
FIG. 10) is read out from the market information database to be
inputted to the treatment procedure decision means.
(Step 344: Selection of the Information Concerning Component Parts
and Materials/Substances which are Variable Things)
[0285] Subsequently, the information concerning the parts and the
materials which are the valuable things (material/substance names,
material/substance numbers, part names, part numbers, purchase
prices and the like) is selectively extracted from the
above-mentioned inputted information concerning the valuable
things.
(Step 345: Decision as to Presence or Absence of the Component
Parts Containing Valuable Things)
[0286] In succession, the information concerning the
above-mentioned component parts as extracted selectively is
compared with the information concerning the parts and the
materials of the above-mentioned valuable things as extracted
selectively, to thereby make decision as to whether or not there
exists the component part(s) which are the valuable things. If the
above decision results in affirmation, the processing proceeds to a
step 346, and if otherwise, the processing proceeds to a step
347.
(Step 346: Extraction of the Information Concerning the
Locations/Positions of the Component parts containing valuable
things, part names, materials/substances, Separation Procedure,
Purchase Prices, Etc.)
[0287] The information concerning the locations/positions, the part
name, the materials/substances of the parts to be separated, the
disassembling procedure, etc. is extracted from the above-mentioned
information concerning the manufactured article as read out.
(Step 347: Reading/Inputting of the Information Concerning the
Facilities of the Treatment-Entrusted Factory)
[0288] Next, the information concerning the facilities of the
treatment-entrusted factory which is in charge of treatment is read
out from the treatment-entrusted factor specifications database 34
and inputted to the treatment procedure decision means.
(Step 348: Calculation of the Cost Involved in the Work for
Separation the Component Parts Containing the Valuable Things)
[0289] Next, on the basis of the information concerning the
component parts containing valuable things as extracted and the
information concerning the cost involved in the treatment to be
carried out in the treatment-entrusted factory as inputted as
mentioned above, the cost involved in the work for separation the
component parts is arithmetically determined or calculated. This
processing can be realized in accordance with the concept similar
to that underlying the work cost calculation processing described
hereinbefore in conjunction with the processing flow illustrated in
FIG. 12.
(Step 349: Decision as to Whether or not the Component Parts
Containing the Valuable Things are to be Separated)
[0290] Subsequently, the work cost involved in separation the
component parts containing the valuable things as calculated in the
manner mentioned above is compared with the purchase price
information of the component parts containing the valuable things
as extracted as mentioned above, to thereby make decision as to
whether or not the component parts containing the valuable things
worthy to be separated are present or not by deciding whether or
not such detachment of the parts is profitable to the
treatment-entrusted factory.
[0291] For realizing the decision with higher accuracy, cost for
stocking, cost for transportation and other costs should be taken
into consideration in the decision of the cost for the separation
work. The information concerning these costs should be stored in
the treatment-entrusted factory specifications database 34 and the
market information database.
(Step 350: Extraction of the Information Concerning the
Locations/Positions of the Component Parts to be Separated, Part
Names, Materials/Substances, Separation Procedure, etc.)
[0292] Subsequently, the information concerning the
locations/positions of the parts to be separated, the part names,
the materials/substances of the parts, the separation procedure and
others is extracted from the information concerning the
manufactured article as read out as mentioned above.
[0293] The succeeding processings for selecting the information
concerning the shredder from the information concerning the
facilities of the treatment-entrusted factory (step 351), making
decision as to whether the remainders left after the detachment of
the component parts to be segregated can be crushed intact (step
352), determining the location where the component part(s) is to be
cut or sheared on the basis of the information concerning the
manufactured article (step 353), and outputting the treatment
procedure are essentially same as the processing flow described
hereinbefore by reference to FIG. 12. Accordingly, any further
description of these processings will be unnecessary.
[0294] The foregoing description has been directed to the exemplary
cases in which the treatment procedures for the discarded articles
are decided and outputted for issuing pertinent commands to the
worker(s) or for controlling the facilities or equipment installed
in the treatment-entrusted factory in precedence to the actual
treatment of the discarded articles in the factory.
[0295] Now, description will turn to a treatment processing system
which is designed to alter the treatment procedure decided and
outputted precedingly by the treatment processing systems according
to the exemplary embodiments described above, to thereby generate
other treatment procedure for outputting commands to the worker(s)
or for controlling the facilities so that the treatment can be
performed in accordance with the treatment procedure as generated
after the alteration.
[0296] The object to be dealt with the treatment processing system
according to the present invention is manufactured articles
discarded as waste. Naturally, the discarded articles collected to
the treatment-entrusted factory assume different states from one to
another. Even the articles of a same model manufactured by a same
manufacturer may often assume different states when collected as
the discarded articles in dependence on the environments in which
they have been used or operated. By way of example, the
manufactured article used outdoors such as a washing machine or the
like is degraded in respect to the degree of rust on the armor and
the screws when compared with the washing machine used indoors.
Besides, the washing machines used outdoors in the seaside areas
are degraded with regard to the rust state when compared with the
washing machines used in the inland areas. Additionally, the
reasons why the manufactured articles have been discarded may
differ from one to another. For example, some of the manufactured
articles may have been discarded because of destruction while
others may have been discarded because the performance thereof are
no more to be satisfied. To say in another way, the manufactured
articles may be discarded for the various reasons differing from
one to another article.
[0297] FIG. 23 is a flow chart for illustrating a processing for
altering the treatment procedure according to another aspect of the
present invention.
(Step 600)
[0298] Treatment of discarded articles as transported to the
treatment-entrusted factory is started.
(Step 610)
[0299] The treatment procedure information generated in advance by
the treatment procedure decision means 4 in accordance with the
methods described hereinbefore Ts outputted through the output
means 5.
(Step 620)
[0300] In conformance with the treatment procedure outputted in the
step 610, the treatment of the manufactured article 21 is carried
out. It should, however, be noted that the treatment is executed on
a procedure-by-procedure basis.
(Step 630)
[0301] Through the medium of a detecting means 7, it is checked
whether the relevant work has been completed or will be able to be
performed in conformance with the treatment procedure.
[0302] In case the instant decision step results in "YES" (when it
is decided that the work has been completed or will be able to be
performed in conformance with the treatment procedure), the
processing proceeds to a step 640, whereon a succeeding procedure
is executed.
[0303] On the other hand, when the above decision step results in
"NO" (when it is decided that the works could not be carried out in
conformance with the treatment procedure), the processing proceeds
to a step 650 where the treatment procedure is altered.
(Step 640)
[0304] In this step, decision is made as to whether the succeeding
procedure to be executed exists or not. In the event the succeeding
procedure to be executed exists, then return is made to step 620 to
execute the succeeding procedure. On the other hand, in the event
the succeeding procedure does not exist, the operation proceeds to
step 670 for the end of treatment so that the processing is
terminated.
(Step 650)
[0305] Unless the treating works could not be carried out in
conformance with the treatment procedure as generated, the
procedure is altered or changed to another procedure in this step,
to thereby generate a renewed treatment procedure.
(Step 660)
[0306] The renewed treatment procedure generated in the
above-mentioned step 650 is outputted to the output means 5.
[0307] FIG. 24 shows in a flow chart schematically a processing for
altering a treatment procedure together with information required
for the treatment in the system according to the instant embodiment
of the present invention.
[0308] Description will be made by following orderly the
schematically illustrated flow of processings (step 653).
(Step 653)
[0309] Through the detecting means 7, information is outputted that
the treatment of the manufactured article can not be carried out in
conformance with the treatment procedure as outputted.
(Step 652)
[0310] The information concerning the treatment procedure detected
as being impossible to execute in the step 653 is acquired from the
treatment procedure decision means 4 or a treatment procedure
altering means 6.
[0311] In the case where the procedure information has been
generated previously, this information is obtained from the
treatment procedure decision means 4, while in the case of the
treatment procedure generated after the alteration, the information
is obtained from the treatment procedure altering means 6.
(Step 651)
[0312] On the basis of the available information concerning the
manufactured article affixed to the article 21 currently subjected
to the treatment and additionally on the basis of the information
concerning the manufactured article affixed to the article 21, if
necessary, the information concerning the above-mentioned
manufactured article is acquired from the storage means 3 in which
the information concerning various manufactured articles has been
previously stored.
(Step 650)
[0313] On the basis of the information concerning the treatment
procedure as acquired in the step 652, it is decided for what
purpose the procedure detected as being irrelevant has been
intrinsically generated. To this end, it will be required to store
the information concerning the purposes of the works involved in
the treatments in correspondence to the treatment procedures,
respectively.
[0314] The purposes mentioned above may be roughly classified as
follows. In this conjunction, it should be mentioned that the
method of generating the alternative treatment procedures may
differ in dependence on the purposes as intended.
(1) For the Purpose of Separation Harmful/Hazardous
Materials/Substances
[0315] In this case, the harmful/hazardous materials/substances
must necessarily be separated or removed by resorting to an
alternative procedure.
[0316] It is preferred that when a plurality of alternative
procedure candidates are generated or inputted by or from the
treatment procedure altering means 6, the treatment costs involved
in execution of the individual procedures are arithmetically
determined, to thereby select the procedure for which the cost is
lowest.
(2) For the Purpose of Separation the Parts Incapable of being
Treated with the Facilities Installed in the Treatment-Entrusted
Factory
[0317] (By way of example, a metal block such as a compressor of a
refrigerator can not be crushed with the ordinary shredder, and
thus the treatment by the shredder dedicated thereto is required.
For this reason, such metal block is not crushed but separated or
dismounted.)
[0318] In this case, when a plurality of alternative procedure
candidates are generated or inputted by or from the treatment
procedure altering means 6, it is preferable that the costs
involved in execution of the individual procedures are
arithmetically determined, to thereby adopt the procedure for which
the cost is lowest.
[0319] As a typical example of the alternative procedure, there may
be mentioned a method of shredding a semi-disassembled article
appearing in the course of treatment or the article to be treated
en bloc (such treatment may be entrusted to a factory equipped with
compatible facilities). In this case, it will be necessary to
confirm that no harmful/hazardous materials/substances are
contained in the semi-integrated article or the article mentioned
above on the basis of the information concerning the manufactured
article obtained in the step 651 or the information concerning the
treatment procedure acquired in the step 652.
(3) For the Purpose of Separation Variable Things
[0320] In this case, decision should be made on the basis of the
information concerning the purchase prices of the valuable things
and the cost involved in the separation treatments according to the
alternative procedure as to whether or not profit can be brought
about to the treatment-entrusted factory. Further, in the case
where a plurality of alternative profitable procedures are
available, the procedure which can ensure highest profit should be
selected. On the other hand, unless there is available any
profitable procedure, it may be decided that the valuable things of
concern can not be separated.
[0321] As described above, the alternative procedures are
determined on a purpose-by-purpose basis. Methods or processings to
this end will be described below.
(1) Extraction of the Alternative Procedure from the Part
Separation Procedure Information Contained in the Information
Concerning the Manufactured Article
[0322] The part separation procedure is extracted from the
information concerning the manufactured article, which information
has been read out from the manufactured article subjected to the
treatment or read out from the storage means 3, as occasion
requires, to thereby decide the presence or absence of the
alternative procedure. if the alternative procedure I present, the
procedure as found is selected as the candidate for the alternative
procedure. Parenthetically, concerning the examples of the
separation procedure information, reference may be made to "D
DESIGN INFORMATION (3), PART Separation PROCEDURE" shown in FIG.
20.
(2) Determination of the Position for Cutting
[0323] Unless the candidate for the alternative procedure is found
from the part separation procedure information in the processing
described in the above paragraph (1), the part of concern is
separated by cutting. To this end, undermentioned methods or
processings may be adopted.
[0324] (a) On the basis of the location information and the
dimensional information concerning the part to be separated as
extracted from the above-mentioned information concerning the
manufactured article as read out, the position or location at or
along which the part of concern can be cut without being impaired
is determined. Parenthetically, as to the examples of the location
or position information and the dimensional information of the
part(s) to be separated as contained in the above-mentioned
information concerning the manufactured article read out, reference
may be made to "C DESIGN INFORMATION (2), DIMENSIONAL INFORMATION",
shown in FIG. 19.
[0325] (b) In this conjunction, it should be mentioned that the
determination of the cutting position mentioned above can be
realized after having confirmed that any other part of
harmful/hazardous material/substance are absent in the article or
semi-disassembled article being subjected to the treatment by
making decision as to presence or absence of the part of
harmful/hazardous material/substance.
[0326] When the presence of other part(s) of harmful/hazardous
material/substance is decided, the position or location information
and the dimensional information of the part of harmful or hazardous
material/substance as decided are extracted from the
above-mentioned information concerning the manufactured article as
read out, as in the case of the processing described in the
above-mentioned paragraph (a), whereupon the location information
and the dimensional information of the part to be separated is
extracted to thereby determine the position at or along which the
part of concern as well as the part of harmful or hazardous
material/substance can be cut without being damaged. In that case,
the cutting area is also calculated.
(Step 660)
[0327] The alternative treatment procedure information determined
in the step 650 is outputted through the output means 5. In the
even there is no procedure to be processed in step 640, then the
process is terminated.
(Step 670)
[0328] FIG. 25 shows schematically and generally a configuration of
a manufactured article treatment processing system according to the
instant embodiment of the invention.
[0329] The manufactured article treatment processing system
according to the instant embodiment of the invention is comprised
of a reading means I for reading the information affixed to a
manufactured article being subjected to the treatment, a storage
means 3 for storing a database of the information required for
treating the manufactured article, a treatment procedure decision
means 4 for deciding a treatment procedure for the manufactured
article of concern by referencing the information concerning the
treatment of the manufactured article as contained in the database
stored in the abovementioned storage means 3 on the basis of the
information affixed to the manufactured article which is read out
by the reading means 1, an output means 5 for outputting the result
of the decision made by the above-mentioned treatment procedure
decision means 4 about the discarded article of concern, a
treatment procedure altering means 6 for altering or modifying the
treatment procedure outputted, to thereby determine an alternative
procedure, and a detecting means 7 for detecting whether or not
treatment could be performed in accordance with the treatment
procedure determined by the treatment procedure decision means 4 or
the treatment procedure altering means 6.
[0330] Now, by taking as example the manufactured article 21 shown
in FIG. 26, description will be directed to a method of altering
the treatment procedure in the treatment processing system
according to the instant embodiment of the invention.
[0331] FIG. 26(a) shows an outer appearance of a manufactured
article 21 taken as a concrete example. FIG. 26 (b) shows a
structure of the article in a developed state. As can be seen in
FIG. 26, the manufactured article now under consideration is
composed of five parts. Namely, they are a box-like housing 221, a
cover 222, a printed circuit board 223, a cell 224 and a screw
225.
[0332] FIG. 27 illustrates the treatment procedures for the
above-mentioned manufactured article, which procedures have been
decided in advance by the treatment procedure decision means 4. The
treatment procedures are decided and outputted according to the
method similar to those described hereinbefore in conjunction with
the preceding embodiments of the invention. As can be seen in FIG.
27, there exist the treatment procedures mentioned below.
(1) Detachment of the screw
(2) Removal of the cover
(3) Detachment of the cell and the printed circuit board
[0333] The purpose of the processings now of concern is to separate
and separate or segregate the cell (containing mercury) and the
printed circuit board (containing lead) which are harmful
parts.
[0334] FIG. 28 shows pictorially the treatment of the manufactured
article 21 in a treatment-entrusted factory.
[0335] The treatment procedure determined in advance by the
previously mentioned treatment procedure decision means 4 is
outputted to a treatment facility control means 82 as the treatment
facility control information from a treatment facility control
information output means 52 incorporated in the output means 5, for
thereby controlling a working robot 81. It is shown that the
working robot 81 is about to separate the screw 225 of the
manufactured article 21 being subjected to the treatment in
conformance with the treatment procedure mentioned above.
[0336] The working robot mentioned above 81 is equipped with the
detecting means 7 for monitoring a screw loosing torque of the
working robot 81. When it is detected by the detecting means 7 that
the screw can not be separated even with a screw loosing torque of
magnitude greater than a predetermined value, the detecting means 7
sends to the treatment procedure altering means 6 the information
"work can not be performed in conformance with the treatment
procedure; removal of screw is impossible". In response thereto,
the treatment procedure altering means 6 acquires from the
treatment procedure decision means 4 mentioned previously the
information concerning the intrinsic purpose of the work which
could not be carried out, to thereby decide that the work is "the
work for segregating a harmful material" and acquires the
information that the parts containing the harmful
material/substance are the cell and the printed circuit board.
[0337] In view of the imposed condition that in the case of the
manufactured article containing parts of harmful
material/substance, the latter must be segregated without fail, the
treatment procedure altering means 6 extracts the information
concerning the part separation procedure from the information
concerning the manufactured article as read out from the
above-mentioned manufactured article 21 being subjected to the
treatment or from the article specifications information database
31, as occasion requires, to thereby make decision as to presence
or absence of the alternative procedure (concerning the example of
the part separation procedure, reference may be made to "D DESIGN
INFORMATION (3), PART Separation PROCEDURE" shown in FIG. 20). When
the alternative procedure is present, it is selected as the
candidate for the alternative procedure to thereby generate another
separation method or procedure (method by cutting). On the basis of
the location information and the dimensional information concerning
the part to be separated as extracted from the above-mentioned
information read out, the position or the location at or along
which the part of concern can be cut without being impaired is
determined--Parenthetically, as to examples of location or position
information and the dimensional information of the part(s) to be
separated as contained in the above-mentioned information
concerning the manufactured article as read out, reference may be
made to "C DESIGN INFORMATION (2), DIMENSIONAL INFORMATION" shown
in FIG. 19.
[0338] In this way, the above-mentioned treatment procedure
altering means 6 reads out or generates one or more alternative
procedures.
[0339] Subsequently, the above-mentioned treatment procedure
altering means 6 arithmetically determines the costs involved in
the treatments for the alternative treatment procedures,
respectively, to thereby determine the procedure for which the
treatment cost is lowest. To this end, the following methods or
processings are adopted, as in the case of the embodiments
described hereinbefore.
(1) Calculation of the treatment cost required for the alternative
procedure acquired from the part separation procedure information
mentioned previously
[0340] The part separation procedure information (refers to FIG.
20, "D DESIGN INFORMATION (3)") is acquired from the article
specifications information read out as mentioned previously or
acquiring the treatment work cost information from the
treatment-entrusted factory specifications information (see FIG.
11) mentioned previously, to thereby calculate the treatment cost
required for the alternative procedure acquired from the
above-mentioned part separation procedure information.
(2) Calculation of the treatment cost required for the alternative
procedure including the cutting process as generated by the
above-mentioned treatment procedure altering means 6.
[0341] On the basis of the information concerning the cutting area
computed as mentioned previously as well as the information
concerning the work cost involved in the catting treatment as
acquired from the treatment-entrusted factory specifications
information (see FIG. 11), the treatment cost required for the
alternative procedure acquired from the above-mentioned part
separation procedure information is calculated.
(3) The costs involved in the treatments through the alternative
procedure candidates as calculated in accordance with the methods
mentioned above are compared with one another, to thereby determine
the most inexpensive procedure.
[0342] Subsequently, the above-mentioned alternative procedure as
determined is outputted to the treatment facility control means 82
by way of the treatment facility control information output means
52. By way of example, in case the determined alternative procedure
is a treatment procedure resorting to the cutting, the treatment
facility control means 82 so controls a transportation line 83 as
to transport the manufactured article 21 of concern to a process
section where a cutter can be used, whereupon the work by the
cutter is carried out.
[0343] It is to be mentioned that as one of the storage means 3, a
treatment result information accumulating unit 37 is provided for
storing accumulatively the information concerning the treatment
results such as the information about the treatment procedures
executed actually for the manufactured articles treated in the
treatment-entrusted factory together with or in association with
the codes indicating the manufactured articles (such as
manufactured article name, manufacturer name, model, manufacture
number, manufactured date and the like). By virtue of provision of
the treatment result information accumulating unit 37 as mentioned
above, it is possible to realize a function for adding
accumulatively to the separation procedure information of the
manufactured article as stored in the article specifications
information database 31 the information concerning the alternative
procedures adopted in place of the standard procedures which could
not be executed, as elucidated above. Furthermore, when the
situations described above occurs increasingly for the manufactured
articles of the same model (e.g. when a counted ratio of the number
of times the alternative procedure has bee adopted in place of the
standard procedure exceeds 50%), such function can be realized in
conjunction with the manufactured article separation procedure
information of the article specifications information database 31
that the altered procedure is outputted with higher priority. Thus,
the treatment can be accomplished at high rate.
[0344] FIG. 29 shows another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
In the case of the system illustrated, the detecting means 7 is
constituted by a unit including an image pick-up device such as a
television camera. it is assumed that the state of the manufactured
article being subjected to the treatment is checked by making use
of the image information picked up by the television camera. To
this end, there is stored in the manufactured article
specifications information database the image information of the
discarded article in the fresh state thereof. With the treatment
processing system, the model and other particulars of the discarded
article of concern are identified for acquiring from the article
specifications information database mentioned previously the image
information of the article when it was in the fresh state and the
specifications information admitting the parts thereof to be reused
(check standards, which represents, for example, the reference
information stored in element 36 of FIG. 6 which provides standards
with respect to whether the article can be recycled from the
viewpoint of wear or abrasion of the article material). In
succession, check is performed by comparing the image information
of the discarded article and the image information thereof in the
fresh state. From the image information, the number of injuries and
sizes thereof, for example, can be detected. In this conjunction,
it is required that the manufactured article be provided with some
measures for allowing a front wall, a top wall or surface thereof
to be discriminatively identified. By way of example, some
manufactured article may have individual walls or surfaces affixed
with identifier numbers, respectively. In the treatment processing
system, the information concerning the number of injuries and the
sizes thereof as detected is compared with the specifications
information admitting the reuse of the parts (check standards),
whereby the treatment method is decided and thus the treatment
procedure can be determined. By way of example, when it is decided
that reuse as the component part is impossible because of a large
number of injuries, then a treatment procedure for recycling as the
material or substance may be generated and outputted.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0345] As can be appreciated from the foregoing description, with
the treatment processing system according to the present invention,
proper and appropriate treatments for discarded articles can be
determined and executed. Thus, the present invention provides a
great contribution to the reduction in consumption of effective
energy, decrease in the amount of discarded articles and prevention
of environmental detriment due to harmful materials/substances or
the like.
[0346] Further, by referencing the treatment procedure
decision/determination processings or methods according to the
present invention at the stage of design, it is also possible to
promote designing of articles which are ready to undergo the
recycling treatments.
* * * * *