GB2282956A

GB2282956A - Computer-controlled recycling container

Info

Publication number: GB2282956A
Application number: GB9416982A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ulrich Otto
Original assignee: Deutsche Aerospace AG
Current assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
Priority date: 1993-10-25
Filing date: 1994-08-23
Publication date: 1995-04-26
Also published as: GB9416982D0; DK170955B1; FR2711626A1; DK122694A; DE4336334C1; CA2133023A1

Abstract

The invention relates to computer-controlled recycling collecting containers having a radio-operated level indicator. The level sensor components and VHF/UHF radio components are produced using the technology of microcomponents. The level indication (signal) is sent to a central control point and from there to transport vehicle(s). Exemplary embodiments are described and sketched in the figures of the drawing. <IMAGE>

Description

W 1 2282956 1 Computer-controlled recyclinq container The invention

relates to a computer -controlled recycling container and in particular to a computer- control led recycling container with a level sensor.

Containers for depositing clear and coloured glass, for example, as well as other recyclable materials are emptied when optical control has determined that they are full, or on the basis of rough estimates based on experience as to the time when the container may be full and needs to be approached. Although this method is indeed simple, it must be monitored by personnel, as otherwise members of the public confronted with full containers would frequently tend to deposit material in front of the containers, and if such situations were to occur often, the public would lose interest. Consequently, such a method is ultimately not only unfeasible but also uneconomical.

Various solutions for a wide variety of applications have been proposed in the prior art using so-called level sensors. For example, the German Utility Model G 8 708 686.7 proposes an arrangement involving photoelectric barriers for indicating the level in letter boxes.

A system running over the waste vehicle is known from 2 German Patent Application DE 39 33 795 Al, in which a passive transponder integrated in the vehicle is provided, or according to German Patent Application DE 40 18 520 Al, in which the domestic waste container is identified by photo-optical means and various data - e.g. relating to weight - are collected and processed by external systems. All these systems have relatively little, if anything, to do with a feasible, continuous and in particular economical recycling system.

A method for detecting the data relating to the emptying or disposal of waste in the case of the collection of waste containers has become known from German Patent Application DE 42 11 119 Al. In this case, when a waste container is being emptied, a transponder attached in or on the waste collection vehicle is connected to a corresponding transmitter/ receiver unit for transmission of the respective data relating to the emptied waste (type, quantity, weight etc).

For this purpose, the waste vehicle is provided with a transmitter/receiver unit and a recording anddata storage unit connected downline, and each of the waste bins or containers to be emptied is provided with a transponder, in which respective data relating to emptying are stored on emptying and, in a special development, the data relating to weight and type of R, 0 1 3 waste. This system is generally for the collection of billing data and verification of charges within a specific period, and the waste collection vehicle plays the principal role in this system, which requires a wide range of special equipment, if not a completely new design of its own. No special reference to the risk of damage or destruction of the transponder or the risk of theft etc. need be added here.

The present invention aims to provide a computer10 controlled recycling container, which preferably automatically, and independently of external energy sources, instructs the central waste disposal depot to empty it and transmits data concerning its contents.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a computer15 controlled recycling container with a level sensor wherein an adhesive film is adhered to the container, and this adhesive film is provided with microelectronic components and assembled to form a level sensor and a radio system, which is connected for communication to a central control station and/or to an emptying transport vehicle.

Further preferred features are included in the sub claims.

d 1 4 Embodiments are explained in the description and shown in the figures of the drawings as follows:

Figure 1 shows a diagram of the related functions of an example of application of the computer-controlled recycling container; Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a further example of application of a computercontrolled recycling container; Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a third example of application of a computer-controlled recycling container.

The general concept of the invention provides that the structure of computer-controlled recycling containers is such that they indicate to a central control station by means of an electronic system and a radio unit their filling level and other data concerning their status such as type of waste etc. In this case, the design should be such that the individual system is secure against destruction and theft. This is assured by the measure that using microelectronic technology, a sound and echo pulse sensor with a microprocessor, evaluation electronics and VHF-UHF transmitter is attached to a foil, which is adhered to the inside wall of the W container so that these units do not constitute a removable structural element or module, and therefore are very difficult to locate, since the film thus constructed is adhered to as high a point as possible on the container wall and is therefore very difficult to see and to locate.

A computer at the central control station - as may be seen from Figure 1 collects and evaluates all incoming data according to the following criteria:

(1) Container must be emptied on: - date (2) Provision of additional containers as a precautionary measure: - duration and site (3) Optimisation of provision of additional containers:

- specification of site giving number and use of containers (4) Optimisation and arrangement of emptying journeys made by the transport vehicles between the containers (5) Remote data collection on container sites by 20 direction finding.

Mr 6 On e. g. a daily basis, the central control station L - or its computer 3 - gives each transport vehicle TF preferably via radio instructions for work to be carried out, and in particular for any new jobs to be included using the most favourable route of the vehicle during its rounds, depending on its current location. Depending on the equipment included in this system, the jobs and routes to be undertaken and followed by the vehicle may be viewed on a monitor or output in the vehicle by a paper printout machine.

Figure 1 shows a diagram of an example of application. VHF-UHF radio signals 2, 5 are transmitted and received continuously, or when required, from a control station L - e.g. council depot X - with a computer 3 and an aerial 10b. The received signals 2 come from the recycling container SB located in an urban or country area. The transmitted signals 5 are primarily provided for radio communication with the transport vehicle TF, but may also be directed to the individual containers SB, e.g. to confirm receipt of their signal in the control station L, and possibly to switch the transmission channel of the microelectronics pack 1 in the container SB to resting position.

The computer-controlled recycling container SB proposed here (Figures 2 and 3) is provided with an elastic and -0 1 2 7 tear-resistant f ilm about 3 mm thick on its inside, on which the microelectronic components are attached. These components are preferably flat microprocessors, transmitter and receiver as well as evaluation electronics - all in micro-assembly - which combine to form a level sensor. For example, an impulse reflection level sensor may be designed on the basis of ultrasound or a piezoelectric transducer, whi-ch detects the distance 7 from the container material 8. This may be carried out after each deposit, for example, or constantly at a specific time interval etc. It may be of advantage for scheduling and previous fixture of travel routes for the transport vehicle TF, if, for example, each container SB indicates its current filling status to the control station L each evening.

Each container SB is provided with an integrated aerial 10, which is in the form of an extended dipole 9 in one instance, or the metal container hoisting ring 10a may be constructed as an aerial. These examples are particularly 0 suitable for use with containers SM in isolated locations, since the risk of wilful damage or destruction to a protruding dipole aerial is too great.

The containers SB are preferably made from polyethylene, and in a special embodiment (Figure 3) the cover section 11 is not coloured, but is transparent to light and W, 8 provided with scratch-resistant thin-film solar cells 12 in this area. Since these solar cells are made of amorphous silicon, they serve to supply energy to the microelectronic components and thus power the 5 transmission operation.

Y This proposed system may now be specialised in a wide variety of ways, e. g.an electronic clock may be integrated into the microprocessor or chip, which on the basis of collected data based on experience switches on the above-mentioned recycling container only at specific times, or only once a day etc., in order to save power consumption from the solar power supply or the buffer battery. There are many possible variations, depending solely on the design system, but all based on the system proposed here, in which each container SB in a specific area is equipped with a concealed sensor and radio system, which via the central control station L provides the communication link with the transport vehicles for emptying it and indicates its filling status to the control station and/or the transport vehicle.

01 9

Claims

Patent Claims:

1. Computer-controlled recycling container with a level sensor wherein an adhesive film is adhered to the container, and this adhesive film is provided with microelectronic components and assembled to form a level sensor and a radio system, which is connected for communication to a central control station and/or to an emptying transport vehicle.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive film is a flat, tear resistant film.

3. A container according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the adhesive film is adhered to the inside of the container.

4. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the film is substantially concealed from view.

5. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the level sensor is provided in the form of an impulse reflection sensor designed for ultrasound or a piezoelectric transducer, which detects the distance from the container material.

6. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein its aerial is provided in the form of an extended dipole and integrated into the container.

7. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the metal hoisting ring of the container is constructed as an aerial.

8. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the container is made from polyethylene, aAd its top cover section is transparent and provided 10 with scratch-resistant thin-film solar cells.

9. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the microelectronic components used are microprocessors, transmitter/receiver and evaluation electronics, such as a timer, in micro-assembly.

10. A container substantially as any one herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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