DE102020210274A1 - Planning a recycling of a used technical system - Google Patents

Abstract

According to a method for planning the recycling of a used technical installation (2), at least one operating variable is repeatedly determined by means of a sensor system (5) during an operating phase (B). A characteristic value for a total load of a component of the system (2) is determined by means of a computing unit (3) as a function of the repeatedly determined operating variable. The processing unit (3) automatically selects an utilization option for the component from at least two predefined potential utilization options and/or determines at least one suitability characteristic for suitability of the component for one or more of the potential utilization options depending on the characteristic value.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for the at least partially automatic planning of a utilization of a used technical installation and a corresponding system.

Components of plants that have reached the end of their lives, such as motor vehicles or industrial plants, can be reused or recycled in some other way. Recovery can be through destruction, recycling, energy recovery or reuse.

Currently, the condition of the components of a technical installation that are eligible for recycling, such as a motor vehicle, is examined and evaluated by a person, and components that are suitable for recycling from the subjective point of view of the evaluating person are removed if necessary. Due to the subjectivity of the evaluation and decision, the recycling rate is usually relatively low. In addition, the evaluation involves a great deal of work and time.

document US 2014/0214488 A1 describes systems and procedures for self-service recycling. By means of graphical user interfaces and backend systems, users are enabled to identify a market for used automotive parts. For example, each vehicle can be tagged with a QR code that identifies the vehicle. When the user scans the QR code, it is determined which parts of the vehicle are currently required by users registered in the system. In addition, current prices can be determined for individual parts or vehicles in which these parts can be used. This information is presented to the user.

Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to specify an improved concept for planning the utilization of a used technical installation that allows a higher degree of automation.

This object is solved by the respective subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous developments and preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

The improved concept is based on the idea of determining a characteristic value for a total load of a component of the plant based on an operating variable, which is determined by means of a sensor system, and automatically selecting a recycling option based on the characteristic value and/or a suitability characteristic value for the recycling of the component to determine.

According to the improved concept, a method for at least partially automatic planning of recycling a used technical system is specified, with a sensor system, for example a sensor system of the system, repeatedly determining at least one operating variable of the system during an operating phase of the system. Using an arithmetic unit, which is coupled wirelessly or wired to the sensor system, a characteristic value for a total load of a component of the system during the operating phase is determined depending on the repeatedly determined at least one operating variable. Depending on the characteristic value, the processing unit automatically selects an utilization option for the component from at least two predefined potential utilization options and/or determines at least one suitability characteristic value for suitability of the component for one or more of the potential utilization options.

For example, the performance variable can be updated repeatedly or continuously and/or the suitability index can be updated repeatedly or continuously.

A technical installation can be understood here and below as a functional unit of one or more apparatuses, devices and/or machines or a plurality of such functional units that interact with one another. The term “technical system” includes in particular industrial systems, manufacturing systems, process engineering systems and motor vehicles, in particular land vehicles, aircraft and watercraft, with motor vehicles, motorcycles, ships and airplanes in particular being motor vehicles.

The utilization of the technical system can be understood in particular as the utilization of at least one component of the technical system. The recycling of the component can be understood in particular as the destruction or disposal or the reuse or further use of the component, optionally after processing. The potential recycling options can therefore be, for example, destroying the component, disposing of the component, continuing to use the component for its original intended purpose or continuing to use the component for a purpose other than originally intended. The further use can optionally be preceded by a preparation of the component.

The at least one operating variable of the installation, which is determined using the sensor system, can have a direct or indirect influence on the load on the component. For example, the at least one operating variable can include an operating time or an operating period or, in the case of a motor vehicle as a technical system, a mileage of the motor vehicle or the component. The at least one operating variable can also include a movement or actuation of the component, in particular in the case of a mechanical component. The at least one operating variable can also contain a period of use, in particular a period of use accumulated over the operating phase, of the component. The at least one operating variable can also include a load intensity of the component. In the case of a motor vehicle as the technical system, the movement of a wheel or the rotation of a drive shaft of the motor vehicle can also be regarded as an operating variable.

The characteristic value for the total load can be determined, for example, as a function of a summed, integrated or cumulative operating variable of the at least one operating variable.

The characteristic value can, for example, contain or be determined based on the total cumulative usage time of the component during the operating phase or the cumulative number of actuations of the component during the operating phase, possibly weighted with an individual load intensity and so on. In the case of a motor vehicle as the technical system, the parameter can also be determined based on the total mileage of the motor vehicle during the operating phase. In this case, the characteristic value can be understood in particular as a measure of an aging state of the component after the operating phase.

Depending on the design of the operating variable or the characteristic value, the sensor system can also be designed differently.

After the processing unit has automatically selected the respective utilization option depending on the characteristic value, the selected utilization option can be displayed visually to a user, for example by means of a display device. As an alternative or in addition, the suitability parameter can be visualized, if necessary for several or all potential utilization options, whereupon a user can make the final selection of the utilization option. The suitability index can, for example, be viewed as the degree of suitability for a respective potential utilization option.

According to the improved concept, the operating variable is thus monitored throughout the operating phase of the plant and the characteristic value relating to the total load is determined, in particular after the operating phase. In this way, a corresponding recycling option can be automatically selected for each component of the system that is in principle suitable for recycling, or the respective suitability can be output based on the suitability index. As a result, the planning of the utilization of the technical system can be highly automated and objectified. In this way, in particular, objective decisions can also be made for components of the system that would otherwise require the component to be removed and a technical inspection of the component to be carried out. Ultimately, this increases the proportion of components that can be reused after the operating phase.

According to at least one embodiment of the method, the values of the repeatedly determined operating variable are stored during the operating phase on a storage unit of the installation or on an external server computer system.

In order to determine the characteristic value and/or to select the utilization option, the computing unit can then access the memory unit wirelessly or by wire.

The arithmetic unit itself can also be part of the system or can be designed externally to the system.

According to at least one embodiment, the characteristic value is determined repeatedly or continuously and stored on the storage unit. This can also take place, for example, during the operating phase. In this way, the current characteristic value is always available for further processing.

According to at least one embodiment, a residual value and/or a remaining service life of the component is determined by the computing unit as a function of the characteristic value. The utilization option is selected depending on the residual value and/or the remaining service life and/or the at least one suitability parameter is determined depending on the residual value and/or the remaining service life.

The residual value can be understood in particular as a monetary residual value. This can be determined, for example, using predefined tables. The remaining service life can also be determined depending on the characteristic value based on corresponding look-up tables or the like.

In particular, the processing unit can compare the residual value and/or the remaining service life with a respective threshold value and select the utilization option depending on a result of the comparison or determine the at least one suitability parameter depending on the result of the comparison. If the residual value and/or the remaining service life is less than a corresponding minimum threshold value, the component can be sent for destruction or disposal, for example, with parts of the component being able to be reused or recycled, for example high-quality raw materials, precious metals, rare earths and so on. Otherwise, further use is an option, although different options can also be proposed for this, depending on the characteristic value. In this way, an objectively justified and economically sensible recycling of the component can be realised.

According to at least one embodiment, the processing unit reads a demand database to determine a demand value for the component, and the utilization option is selected depending on the demand value and/or the suitability index is determined depending on the demand value.

The demand value corresponds in particular to a characteristic value for how high the demand or the need for the component on the market for used components is at the moment. If the demand value is low, it may make more economic sense to discard or destroy the component, and if the demand value is higher, particularly if the total load index is the same, reuse may be economically viable. By taking into account the demand value, the economic result can be optimized during the exploitation.

According to at least one embodiment, a maintenance database is read out by the processing unit in order to obtain maintenance information relating to the component, and the utilization option is selected depending on the maintenance information and/or the suitability parameter is determined depending on the maintenance information.

The maintenance information can in particular contain information as to whether and, if applicable, when the component was replaced or serviced or repaired during the operating phase. As a result, a more reliable evaluation of the component, in particular based on the residual value and/or the remaining service life, can be carried out by taking the maintenance information into account.

According to at least one embodiment, the technical installation is designed as an industrial installation.

The industrial plant can be designed, for example, as a process engineering plant, production plant and so on.

According to at least one embodiment, the technical installation is designed as a motor vehicle, for example as a motor vehicle, passenger car, truck, motorcycle, ship or airplane.

There is a potentially large market for used spare parts, especially for motor vehicles, so that the improved concept is particularly advantageous here from an economic and ecological point of view.

According to at least one embodiment, the characteristic value for the total load is determined as a function of a total mileage of the motor vehicle or the component during the operating phase.

A movement of the wheels or the axles of the motor vehicle via a rotational speed or a driving speed of the motor vehicle can be used as an operating variable. The mileage of the motor vehicle can serve as an indirect measure of the load on various components, or allow the total load on the component to be estimated.

In particular, if no dedicated sensors are provided for detecting the actuation of the component, the mileage can serve as a basis for calculation. For example, this can be a sensible approach for steering wheels, engine components, transmission components, tires, wheel rims and so on.

The mileage of the component can be understood as a proportion of the mileage of the motor vehicle during which the component was installed in the motor vehicle. This can be lower than the mileage of the motor vehicle, for example by replacing or retrofitting the component.

According to at least one embodiment, the characteristic value for the total load is determined as a function of a total number of actuations of the component during the operating phase.

In the case of a motor vehicle, for example, the number of times a door, a tailgate and so on has been operated can be a meaningful one Deliver characteristic value for the total load of the component.

According to the improved concept, a system is also specified that contains a technical system and a computing unit. The installation has a sensor system which is set up to repeatedly determine at least one operating variable of the installation during an operating phase of the installation. The processing unit is set up to determine a characteristic value for a total load of a component of the system during the operating phase depending on the repeatedly determined at least one operating variable and to automatically select a utilization option for the component from at least two predefined potential utilization options and/or depending on the characteristic value to determine at least one suitability parameter for suitability of the component for one or more of the potential utilization options.

According to at least one embodiment of the system, the system is designed as a motor vehicle or industrial system.

Further embodiments of the system according to the improved concept follow directly from the various embodiments of the method according to the improved concept and vice versa. In particular, a system according to the improved concept can be set up to carry out a method according to the improved concept or it carries out such a method.

The invention also includes the combinations of features of the described embodiments.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer beispielhaften Ausführungsform eines Systems nach dem verbesserten Konzept; und
• 2 ein Ablaufdiagramm einer beispielhaften Ausführungsform eines Verfahrens nach dem verbesserten Konzept.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. In the figures show:

• 1 Fig. 12 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a system according to the improved concept; and
• 2 a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the improved concept.

The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the components described each represent individual features of the invention to be considered independently of one another, which also develop the invention independently of one another and are therefore also to be regarded as part of the invention individually or in a combination other than that shown. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiments described can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

Elements with the same function are each provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

In 1 a system 1 according to the improved concept is shown schematically, which contains a motor vehicle 2 and a computing unit 3.

The motor vehicle 2 contains a large number of sensors 5 which are connected to a control system 4 of the motor vehicle 2 . The control system 4 can also include a memory unit (not shown). During the operating phase of the motor vehicle 2, the sensors 5 repeatedly detect operating parameters of the motor vehicle 2, such as the actuation of certain components, the driving speed, the engine speed, the wheel speed and so on.

A wide variety of electronic, mechanical, movable and immovable components can be regarded as components of the motor vehicle 2 . The components can include tires, wheels or brake pads of the motor vehicle, for example. The components can also include damper components, driver's seat, front passenger seat, rear seat bench, steering wheel, doors and/or tailgates of motor vehicle 2 . The components can include multimedia devices, navigation systems, batteries, in particular batteries of a drive train in the case of an electrically driven motor vehicle, engine components, transmission components and so on of motor vehicle 2 . The components can also include sensor components such as lidar sensors, radar sensors, cameras or GPS modules and the like. Other electronic units, such as electronic control units of motor vehicle 2, can also be viewed as components.

The system 1 can be used to carry out a method for at least partially automatic planning of a recycling of the motor vehicle 2 according to the improved concept. A flowchart of such a method is shown schematically in 2 shown.

The arrows labeled E, P, B and L represent, for example, various successive phases in the life cycle of motor vehicle 2. E can correspond to a development phase, P to a production phase, B to an operating phase and L to the end of life of motor vehicle 2, for example. The operating variables of the motor vehicle 2 are recorded in particular during the operating phase B of the motor vehicle 2 . The repeatedly recorded company figures are then available for life end L of the motor vehicle 2, for example on the memory unit of the control system 4. The sequence of the phases E, P, B and L only serve to illustrate an exemplary life cycle. In particular, the development phase E and/or the production phase P are not necessarily relevant for the improved concept. In various embodiments, information from the development phase E and/or the production phase P can be processed; in other embodiments, for example, this is not provided.

Optionally, additional information relating to an exchange or maintenance of individual components of the motor vehicle 2 during the operating phase B can be stored in a maintenance database. These are also available at the end of L's life.

In step V1 of the method, the information available at the end of life L, in particular relating to the repeatedly determined operating variable, is then processed by the computing unit 3 in order to determine a characteristic value for a total load on a component of the motor vehicle 2 during the operating phase. Depending on the component, this parameter can be configured differently. While in the case of transmission or engine components the total mileage of motor vehicle 2 can serve as a parameter, in the case of a door or a tailgate of motor vehicle 2, for example, the number of actuations of the respective component can serve as a parameter.

Based on the characteristic value, one of at least two predefined potential utilization options is automatically selected in step V3 by means of the arithmetic unit 3 . The recycling options can include, for example, destruction or disposal of the component or removal of the component with subsequent further use, for example within the scope of reuse, downcycling or upcycling. The selected utilization option can then be displayed to a user 7, for example via a display device 6 (see FIG 1 ).

In various embodiments, information from the development phase E and/or the production phase P at the end of life L of the motor vehicle 2 can also be available and taken into account, for example, by the computing unit 3 for determining the characteristic value and/or for selecting the recycling option.

From the development phase E, for example, information about the design or about the components of the individual components can be available. From the production phase P, for example, information relating to a production quality that has been achieved can be available. This information can be used to advantage in order to be able to make a more reliable determination of the characteristic value or a more reliable selection of the utilization option.

In the optional step V2, the processing unit 3 can carry out an analysis of the component quality of the component, determine a monetary residual value of the component and/or determine a remaining service life of the component. The selection of the exploitation option can be based on the analysis results obtained in V2.

As described, the improved concept makes it possible to at least partially automate the recycling of a used motor vehicle or other technical installation. For this purpose, databases can be called up in various embodiments, on which it is stored which parts have been exchanged for which vehicles. In addition, use is made of the fact that a large number of sensors in motor vehicles are used to record how the motor vehicle is used and what loads it was exposed to during the operating phase. The characteristic value for the total load, in other words an aging status of the relevant component, can be determined on the basis of the actual and individual loads. A user can then be shown automatically which components are suitable for which type of recycling and, if applicable, what the value of these components is. Thereby, the rate of reuse can be increased, and the economic viability of reuse can also be increased.

Reference List

1

system

2

motor vehicle

3

unit of account

4

control system

5

sensors

6

display device

7

user

E

phase of development

P

production phase

B

operating phase

L

end of life

V1, V2, V3

process steps

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• US 2014/0214488 A1 [0004]

Claims (10)

Method for at least partially automatic planning of a utilization of a used technical system (2), wherein - by means of a sensor system (5) during an operating phase (B) of the plant (2) is repeatedly determined at least one operating variable of the plant (2); - a characteristic value for a total load of a component of the system (2) during the operating phase (B) is determined by means of a computing unit (3) as a function of the repeatedly determined at least one operating variable; and - by means of the computing unit (3), depending on the characteristic value, an utilization option for the component is automatically selected from at least two predefined potential utilization options and/or at least one suitability characteristic value for a suitability of the component for one or more of the potential utilization options is determined. procedure after claim 1 , characterized in that - by means of the computing unit (3), a residual value and/or a residual service life of the component is determined as a function of the characteristic value; and - the utilization option is selected depending on the residual value and/or the remaining service life and/or the at least one suitability parameter is determined depending on the residual value and/or the remaining service life. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - a demand database is read out by means of the computing unit (3) in order to determine a demand value for the component; and - the utilization option is selected depending on the demand value and/or the at least one suitability parameter is determined depending on the demand value. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - a maintenance database is read out by means of the computing unit (3) in order to obtain maintenance information relating to the component; and - the utilization option is selected depending on the maintenance information and/or the at least one suitability parameter is determined depending on the maintenance information. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the technical installation (2) is designed as an industrial installation. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the technical system (2) is designed as a motor vehicle (2). procedure after claim 6 , characterized in that the characteristic value for the total load is determined as a function of a total mileage of the motor vehicle (2) or the component during the operating phase (B). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the characteristic value for the total load is determined as a function of a total number of actuations of the component during the operating phase (B). System with a technical system (2) and a computing unit (3), wherein - the installation (2) has a sensor system (5) which is set up to repeatedly determine at least one operating variable of the installation (2) during an operating phase (B) of the installation (2); - the computing unit (3) is set up to - to determine a characteristic value for a total load of a component of the system (2) during the operating phase (B) as a function of the repeatedly determined at least one operating variable; and - Depending on the characteristic value, automatically select an utilization option for the component from at least two predefined potential utilization options and/or determine at least one suitability characteristic value for a suitability of the component for one or more of the potential utilization options. system after claim 9 , characterized in that the plant (2) is designed as a motor vehicle (2) or as an industrial plant.

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