WO2008003323A1

WO2008003323A1 - A method and machine for dismantling of apparatuses with a display

Info

Publication number: WO2008003323A1
Application number: PCT/DK2007/000344
Authority: WO
Inventors: Klaus Jørgen Dahlsgaard JEPSEN; Jan Hohberg
Original assignee: Hj Hansen Elektromiljo AS
Current assignee: Hj Hansen Elektromiljo AS
Priority date: 2006-07-06
Filing date: 2007-07-05
Publication date: 2008-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 2009-01-06

Abstract

The present invention concerns a method and a machine (1) for dismantling apparatuses (5), where a display (6) is provided in a cabinet (12), e.g. a TV apparatus, where the apparatus (5) is prepared manually or by machine for separating cabinet (12) and display (6) for recycling. The new feature of the method according to the invention is that the apparatus (5) go through process steps where fixed reference points (11) at the display (6) are determined electronically, where the electronically determined fixed reference points (11) are used as input for the subsequent treatment, and where a mechanical separation of cabinet (12) from display (6) is effected, and where this separation occurs on the background of the electronic input.

Description

A METHOD AND MACHINE FOR DISMANTLING OF APPARATUSES WITH A DISPLAY

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a method and a machine for dismantling apparatuses, e.g. a TV apparatus with a picture tube or other kind of display provided in a cabinet, where the apparatus is prepared manually or by machine for separating cabinet and display.

Description of Prior Art

In Denmark, and in many other countries as well, there are rules and regulations that require public authorities to collect electronic waste into special containers at public recycling stations and through arrangements for bulky waste. By these rules and regulations it is enabled to provide for electronics waste to be collected with the intention of environmentally friendly reworking and the highest possible recycling.

The collected electric and electronic waste is sent to a processing plant at which it is dismantled. This dismantling occurs mostly manually and only partly with mechanical aids. The larger part of the waste consists of glass, pure plastics and metals which can be remelted and reused for new products. The recovery percentage for these materials is typically 90-100%. A lesser part, e.g. loudspeaker cabinets of wood, is sent to combustion where it is utilised for producing power and heat. The remains are hazardous waste, e.g. picture tubes with i.a. lead, printed circuit boards and plastic with brominated flame retardants.

Picture tubes from TV apparatuses consist of two glass types: cone glass and screen glass. The main constituents of the glass is SiO₂ (60%). In addition, the cone glass contains BaO and up to about 25% PbO as well as a lot of other substances in smaller amounts. At the recycling, the light sensitive substances are removed and deposited.

Besides, there are processes for removing lead from the glass. The remaining glass may, depending on the composition, be reused for producing new picture tubes or for glass products of a lower degree of quality. It is very important to recycle picture tubes as the glass is only decomposing slowly by depositing, and barium, lead, strontium and cadmium are washed out. The latter will, however, be adsorbed to the surface of iron hydroxide minerals, delaying the washing out.

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) equipped with components contain more than half the elements in the periodic system. Typically, plastics and ceramics constitute 65% of the equipped PCBs, while metals constitute 35%. The largest amounts of metals are: copper (10%), iron (9%), aluminium (6%), lead (2%) and tin (2%). Bromine and bromine compounds in flame retardants constitute 5%. Recycling of PCBs occurs today in refining cupper works. Firstly, the PCBs go through a mechanical destruction (shredding) and possibly magnetical separation, after which the raw materials may be recovered to varying degrees. Various pyrometallurgical processes are used, including smelting, electrolysis, various precipitation processes, ion exchange, extraction, roasting etc. About 90% of the metal waste comes from components, cables etc. may be recycled in theory, while the rest contains dangerous substances and must be deposited.

Reuse of traditional TV apparatuses with picture tubes as well as the more modern flat panel models is very important, as these products contain relatively many, different substances that may be recycled with advantage.

Reuse of TV apparatuses occurs today by manual processes, where dismantling is effected by a worker who manually and by means of impact screw drivers and a heavy hammer screws and taps the television apart. This is hard and repetitive work where the variation is only found in the individual models of TV apparatuses. The work includes heavy lifting and twisting and working in unsuitable positions.

However, there exist systems that crush TV apparatuses and where sorting takes place subsequently. This subsequent sorting is, however, tedious and hazardous, particularly because of broken glass. Moreover, a large recovery percentage cannot be attained due to the sorting efficiency and contamination of the raw materials. It is the purpose of the invention to make efficient the dismantling of TV apparatuses and other apparatuses with a picture tube or another type of display with the intention of recycling the raw materials located in the apparatus, and to enable disposal of the fractions which cannot be reused. This separation and recycling is to be performed with regard to the work environment conditions so that the work can be done in a safe way and without increased risk of work injuries and contamination.

Description of the Invention

The present invention concerns, as mentioned, a method and a machine for dismantling apparatuses, e.g. a TV apparatus with a picture tube or other kind of display provided in a cabinet. The new features of the method of the invention is that the apparatus at least go through a number of process steps where fixed reference points at the display are determined electronically, where the electronically determined fixed reference points are used as input for the further treatment, and where in proximity of all fastening points between display and cabinet there is effected a mechanical separation of cabinet from display, where this separation occurs on the background of the electronic input.

The machine is constructed with at least two zones, namely a measuring zone in which the apparatus to be dismantled is positioned in a fixture and fixed reference points are measured, and a separating zone in which the individually disposed units separate cabinet and display.

By a method or a machine according to the invention it is possible to separate a display from a cabinet in a rapid and easy way. The only preparatory work to be done in order for the work to be performed by machine is that the back cover is to be removed, and for securing reasons the vacuum existing in displays of the picture tube type may or is to be equalised prior to the dismantling process itself. In the same work operation, the supply wire is also cut off since the apparatus otherwise may get caught on the machine.

In a variant of the invention, by separating a display from a cabinet on a flat panel it is not necessary to dismount the back cover prior to dismantling the apparatus, as one may "see", e.g. by X-ray equipment or other suitable equipment, through the cover and perform measuring and positioning on the basis of such an image.

The machine is particularly suited for separating TV apparatuses as these are usually all made more or less uniform with a fastening point at each corner of the display. When the back cover on a TV apparatus has been dismounted, there is usually free access to the fastening points between display and cabinet. These fastening points, or other fixed reference points in connection with the display, are determined electronically in the measuring zone, and these data are used for the subsequent mechanical treatment of the apparatus occurring in the separating zone. The machine according to the invention is designed so that the separating zone has units that may release the display from the cabinet itself. By this process, the cabinet is divided into several pieces that are sent on to final sorting.

Computer displays may be treated to some extent in the facility, but many of these are so differently constructed that the old well-known manual method of separating is the fastest. However, computer displays of the flat panel type are somewhat easier to handle than the types with picture tube.

A preferred way of determining the position of the apparatus is to position it by starting from the centre of the display, e.g. from the electron gun of a picture tube, and subsequently to determine fixed reference points at the display, normally the fastening points of the display to the cabinet. In this way is achieved an unambiguous data input that may be processed and applied in connection with the subsequent separation in the separating zone.

A preferred method for positioning and determining fixed reference points at the display is to use light marking of the fixed reference points, and where the light marking is supervised by one or more cameras connected to a so-called vision system in which image data are collected, processed and transformed to input data that may be used for the further treatment of the apparatus. A computer unit calculates the coordinates and allows the apparatus to go on if e.g. the measured coordinates in an apparatus lies within a given tolerance. The system may be with software compensating for inaccuracies caused by the viewing angles of the cameras - this may be achieved empirically and is known from elsewhere where vision systems are applied,

The light marking may possibly be in the form of laser light or other suitable light, but other types of marking methods may also be applied where one or more points are determined electronically.

A further variant of a method for dismantling apparatuses according to the invention is where positioning and determining of fixed reference points on the display are performed by using at least one camera, where the image is reproduced on a screen after which the fixed reference points are selected with an electronic pointer, where data are collected and processed for input data for further treatment of the apparatus. By this variant there is provided the particular advantage that an operator via a computer screen or similar may point out the required fixed reference points by simply marking with a computer mouse or other electronic pointing tool (pointer). Thus there is no need for an operator to stay in immediate vicinity of the apparatus to be recycled and therefore not to stay in a noisy and dusty environment either.

When a cabinet with picture tube is to be measured, it is advantageous to position the apparatus at first. This may advantageously be done by starting from the electron gun of the picture tube which is disposed at the middle of the back side on all types of picture tubes. The apparatus is disposed so that a light ray, or other sighting means, hits fairly at the middle of the electron gun and the apparatus is fixed in a fixture, and subsequently the various fixed reference points are selected, typically one at each corner of the picture tube. This selection may also advantageously be performed with a laser light beam. This selection or pointing out occurs either automatically or in that an operator selects single fixed reference points individually. The fixed reference points now determined are data processed, and by picture tubes with four fixed reference points, the two diagonals are calculated and the measurement is accepted if the diagonal distance between the indicated points is within certain tolerances. By a preferred variant of the invention, when the measuring is finished the apparatus is brought to the separating zone where separation of cabinet from display is effected by individually positioned units for each fastening point between the cabinet and display. This separation occurs while the apparatus is still fixed in the measured position, and in. a preferred variant is effected simultaneously at all fastening points. Ia this way is achieved a short processing time and thereby large capacity in such a system.

Alternatively, the machine may be with fewer units where each unit is used at more than one fastening point in that it is moved between several fastening points.

The units may, as mentioned, advantageously be in individually positioned units with cutting/punching tools that are positioned by adjustable actuators. By this technique, a partial cutting and crushing of the cabinet, which is often made of a plastic material, is achieved. This crushing is advantageous as in this way the cabinet is divided into lesser pieces which are more readily treated in the subsequent processes.

As mentioned above, the machine according to the invention is divided into at least two zones which are connected to a movable work table, possibly a through-going conveyor belt or a round table with a number of fixtures. In a preferred embodiment, these fixtures are vacuum fixtures upon which the front side of the display is placed and where it is sucked onto suction cups when positioned correctly. After activation of the vacuum fixture, the fastening points of the display are marked, as previously mentioned. The movable work table is provided with a number of these fixtures, and while one apparatus is separated in the separating zone, the treating of another apparatus is prepared in the measuring zone, whereby a discarded TV apparatus may be dismantled approximately every 30 seconds.

The vacuum required for the fixtures is delivered through a central system extending under the movable work table, possibly along a conveyor belt under its top side or along the periphery under a round table. The system is constructed with a longitudinal or annular pipe which is provided with two upwards facing rubber lips that are sucked tightly onto each other when the system is running. At each fixture, a pipe or a hose is provided which is passed down between these rubber lips, whereby air is sucked in through the suction cups until these are activated when a display has been placed on these. This way of supplying vacuum to the suction cups is simple and robust, and therefore suited for this somewhat tough environment.

hi a preferred embodiment, the machine according to the invention may be provided with a positioning and measuring system, including one or more cameras, with which points are marked with light, preferably with laser light, or marked in other ways, registered and data processed. This may advantageously be performed by using a so- called vision system which, as mentioned above, is e.g. used in connection with quality checks in cookie factories and in many other places. These systems may either be fully automatic or be partly manually operated.

rn a preferred variant of a machine according to the invention, in connection with the measuring zone there is provided one or more mirrors in the measuring zone, which mirrors are used in connection with the positioning and measuring of an apparatus. The mirrors may be disposed obliquely above the area where the measurement is taking place. The operator and/or the cameras may hereby look into the mirror instead of down into the cabinet. Also, selection of fastening points may be effected with a laser light beam pointing into the mirror and reflected down into the cabinet therefrom. The cameras may be disposed so that they look directly down into the cabinet, and the mirror may in that case be used to look in and/or to angle the light beams by. In that way it is possible to dispose the apparatus to be dismantled with the display down against the fixture and to perform the measurement without an operator having to bend in over the apparatus. Hereby is achieved a much more ergonomical working environment as the operator may stand with straight back or alternatively sit on a chair and do the work.

In a variant of the invention, the units separating the display from the cabinet are constituted by at least one, preferably four hydraulically actuated cutting/punching tools that each are positioned with at least one actuator, preferably with at least two linear actuators. This positioning occurs on the basis of data from the measuring and occurs individually for each cutting/punching tool and individually for each apparatus to be dismantled. Cutting/punching tools are designed so that they can open over heights that are sufficient for all cabinet types, and so that they are strong enough to cut/punch through what they encounter, e.g. PCBs and loudspeakers. In a preferred embodiment, the cutting/punching tools are designed with a fixed lower cutter and a movable upper cutter.

hi order to compensate for possible varying heights and varying resistance at the individual cutting/punching tools, the machine may be adapted so that the movable work table is resiliently suspended at least at the cutting/punching tools in the separating zone. Thus it is enabled that possible offset loads can be absorbed in this resilient suspension, whereby e.g. a picture tube will not burst or a display from a flat panel will not be shattered.

During the separation of an apparatus, cabinet and electronics parts are cut and crushed simultaneously with releasing the display, hi an embodiment of the machine, these cut-off parts fall down on a conveyor belt on which the released cabinet etc. can be transported for storage or further treatment. The display is also moved onwards on e.g. a conveyor belt.

It is obvious that various component parts of a machine according to the invention may be designed in various other ways than described here, and by the invention disclosed here it is explained how such a machine can be designed in principle. Variants of a machine according to the invention which can be made by the skilled in the art after reading this publication are also considered included in this invention.

Short Description of the Drawing

The invention is described in more detail with reference to the drawing, where: FIG. 1 shows a machine according to the invention schematically and from above.

Detailed Description of the Invention hi Fig. 1 is seen a machine 1 according to the invention reproduced in principle and schematically. The machine 1 is made with a conveyor belt 2 upon which a number of fixtures 3 are mounted. A number of suction cups 4 are provided on each fixture 3. These suction cups 4 are suited for securing an apparatus 5 with a display, shown here

Claims

11CLAIMS

1. A method for dismantling apparatuses, e.g. a TV apparatus with a picture tube or other kind of display provided in a cabinet, where the apparatus is prepared manually or by machine for separating cabinet and display, characterised in that the apparatus at least go through process steps where fixed reference points at the display are determined electronically, where the electronically determined fixed reference points are used as input for the further treatment, and where in proximity of all fastening points between display and cabinet there is effected a mechanical separation of cabinet from display, where this separation occurs on the background of the electronic input.

2. Method for dismantling apparatuses according to claim 1, characterised in that the apparatus is positioned on the basis of the centre of the display.

3. Method for dismantling apparatuses according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the fixed reference points determined at the display are the fastening points of the display on the cabinet.

4. Method for dismantling apparatuses according to any of claims 1 - 3, characterised in that positioning and determining of fixed reference points on the display are performed by using light markings and camera supervision, where data are collected and processed for input data for the further treatment of the apparatus.

5. Method for dismantling apparatuses according to any of claims 1 - 3, characterised in that positioning and determining of fixed reference points on the display are performed by using at least one camera, where the image is reproduced on a screen after which the fixed reference points are selected with an electronic pointer, where data are collected and processed for input data for further treatment of the apparatus.

6. Method for dismantling apparatuses according to any of claims 1 -5, characterised in that separation of cabinet from display is effected by individually positioned units for each fastening point between cabinet and display. 12

7. Method for dismantling apparatuses according to claim 6, characterised in that the individually positioned units are cutting/punching tools that are positioned by adjustable actuators.

8. A machine for dismantling apparatuses, e.g. a TV apparatus with a picture tube or other kind of display provided in a cabinet, where the apparatus is prepared manually or by machine for separating cabinet and display, characterised in that the machine is constructed with at least two zones, namely a measuring zone in which the apparatus to be dismantled is positioned in a fixture and fixed reference points are measured, and a separating zone in which the individually disposed units separate cabinet and display.

9. Machine for dismantling apparatuses with display according to claim 8, characterised in that the at least two zones are connected to a movable work table with a number of fixtures.

10. Machine for dismantling apparatuses with display according to any of claims 8 and 9, characterised in that the movable work table of the machine is fitted with vacuum fixtures in which the display is sucked on.

11. Machine for dismantling apparatuses with display according to any of claims 8-10, characterised in that the measuring zone is equipped with a positioning and measuring system, including one or more cameras, with which points are marked with light, preferably with laser light, registered and data processed.

12. Machine for dismantling apparatuses with display according to any of claims 8-10, characterised in that the measuring zone is equipped with a positioning and measuring system, including one or more cameras from which an image is reproduced on a screen, and where fastening points are marked with an electronic pointer, preferably with a computer mouse, and registered and data processed.

13. Machine for dismantling apparatuses with display according to any of claims 8-12, characterised in that that one or more mirrors are provided in the measuring zone, which mirrors are used in connection with the positioning and measuring of an apparatus.

14. Machine for dismantling apparatuses with display according to any of claims 8-13, characterised in that the separating zone is with at least one, preferably with four hydraulically actuated cutting/punching tools that each are positioned with at least one actuator, preferably with at least two linear actuators.

15. Machine for dismantling apparatuses with display according to any of claims 8-14, characterised in that the movable work table is resiliently suspended at least at the cutting/punching tools in the separating zone.

16. Machine for dismantling apparatuses with display according to any of claims 8-15, characterised in that that conveyor belts are provided under and after the separating zone for further transport of the released component parts.