JP2002123847A - System for recycling component of device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently recover and dispose of components and units which are reused by a device. SOLUTION: Count information counted by a counting means 2, a reusable component list for every component and unit stored preliminarily and a limit counting information that is a threshold of the count information for determining whether each of the components and the units is able to be treated for reuse or not are registered in a storage means 1. The registered count information is compared with the limit counting information by a comparison means 3 to acquire accurately information for recycling in the every component and unit. The components and the units assigned as reusable objects are displayed by a display means 4 to be reported to a worker. The display means 4 selects also the components and the units to be displayed in response to a result in the comparison means 3. The components and the units of the reusable objects displayed in the display means 4 are printed by a printing means 5 to be reported to the worker. The recycling work is conducted efficiently based on the information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printing apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, and a copying machine, and in particular, to recycling of parts of the apparatus in consideration of reusing individual parts or units constituting the apparatus. It is about the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, from the viewpoint of environmental protection, equipment for reusing individual components and units constituting an apparatus has been increasing. Conventionally, it is used until it is destroyed for each model,
For example, the number of used documents to be read or printed is predicted, and reusable parts and units are selected based on the information.

Further, there is a cartridge and a recycling system as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-126008 for reusing parts to make efficient use of environmental resources. According to this description, a cartridge for supplying a recording material to a printing apparatus is provided with a storage unit for storing the usage history of the cartridge, and the efficiency is determined based on the usage history stored in the storage unit of each cartridge. Recycling process can be performed.

[0004]

However, in the conventional recycling system, replacement of the device is often performed before the life of the device due to shortening of the performance improvement cycle of the device, etc., and until the device is discarded. In many cases, the target is an apparatus equipped with components and units whose number of sheets used is considerably smaller than the expected number of sheets. Even in such an apparatus with a small number of used sheets, a method of selecting a reusable part or unit based on information on the number of sheets used until the discard is predicted for each model has been used. For this reason, the parts and units that can be reused are often limited,
There was no efficient reuse.

Further, in the configuration described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-126008, there is a problem that a large number of storage units are required since storage units are provided for each cartridge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to solving the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. The range of parts and units that can be reused is expanded, the number of parts to be discarded is reduced as much as possible, and the load on the environment is reduced. The purpose is to do.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a parts recycling system for an apparatus for efficiently collecting and processing parts and units to be reused in accordance with a procedure of a dismantling operation for performing reprocessing.

[0008]

In order to achieve this object, a component recycling system for an apparatus according to the present invention is a component recycling system for an apparatus that reuses each individual component or unit constituting the apparatus. And a storage unit for registering reuse information for each component or unit in the apparatus.

The storage means may include, as reuse information, count information indicating the operating status of each component or unit in the apparatus acquired by the count means, and limited count information serving as a threshold value of the count information. It is registered for each part or unit name, and the counting information of the counting means is the number of processed sheets of the number of read and printed sheets, or the limited counting information and the counting information stored in the storage means. , And display means for displaying reuse information of individual parts or units to be reused based on the comparison result.

[0010] In the storage means, a list number of each part or unit constituting the device in the previously provided reusable parts list is registered as reusable information, and the reusable parts list is further registered. Is described in the part or unit corresponding to the list number.

In the storage means, as a recycle process for each part or unit, a reprocess indicating whether the process is to be performed in the current state, to be reused after the cleaning process, or to be reused as a raw material is performed. The information is registered as reuse information.

When replacing individual parts or units, the setting of new count information of the replaced parts or units and the setting of the replacement history are registered as reuse information in the storage means. It is characterized by.

[0013] Further, the registered reuse information is printed out in the storage means, and the printout of the reuse information is printed in accordance with the result of the comparison means comparing the limited count information with the count information. It is configured to select from the reuse information of units and units and / or to print out the reuse information in the disassembly order of the individual parts and units constituting the apparatus.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to judge whether or not a part or unit to be reused can be determined based on the count information or the limited count information indicating the operation status of the part or unit. it can.

[0015] Further, the information can be easily displayed by displaying / printing the information of the reusable parts, and the dismantling work can be made more efficient.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, a facsimile apparatus will be described as an example to explain the present embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a parts recycling system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes storage means for registering reuse information;
Is a counting means for counting the number of used sheets, 3 is a comparing means for comparing the count information registered in the storage means 1 with the limited count information, 4 is a display means for displaying reuse information, and 5 is a print for printing the reuse information. Means. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a facsimile machine having a parts recycling system.

In the present embodiment, the information read by the reading sensor of the reading means 6 after the document mounted on the document tray 8a is conveyed is transmitted to the other party by communication means (not shown) or image formation. It is printed out by means 7 and printing means 5. In an image forming means using an electrophotographic method or the like, a latent image formed on a photoreceptor by a light beam is visualized as a toner image by a developing means, and is transferred and fixed from a paper feeding means to a recording sheet conveyed. After that, an image is output.

In the above processing, the number of processed originals read by the reading means 6 and the number of processed recording sheets on which an image is formed by the image forming means 7 can be determined by, for example, a switch provided in the conveying / feeding means 8. The number of pages used is counted by the counting means 2 by the detecting means 9 for detecting the number of processed pages or the like in hardware or in software, and registered in the storage means 1 as counting information. It is desirable that the counting information that counts the number of sheets used and the number counter that is opened to the user be different.

A part of the memory included in the facsimile apparatus may be used as the storage means 1. However, the storage means 1 needs to be a nonvolatile memory which retains the stored contents even when the power supply of the apparatus is turned off. Alternatively, an external memory detachable from a device such as a PC card may be used. The counting information counted by the counting means 2 is registered in the storage means 1 as reuse information. In the storage means 1, a list of parts to be reused and a reuse part list for each unit are registered in advance. Further, limit count information, which is a threshold value of count information as to whether it is possible to perform a reuse process for each component or unit, is also registered.

The comparing means 3 can accurately obtain reprocessing information for each part or unit by comparing the count information registered in the storage means 1 with the limited count information. The display means 4 is provided on an operation panel or the like of the apparatus, and displays a part or unit designated as a reuse target to notify the worker. Further, the display unit 4 may select a component or a unit having a smaller count information than the limited count information and display the selected component or unit on the display unit 4 in accordance with the comparison result of the above-described comparison unit 3.

Further, the printing means 5 prints the parts and units to be reused to be displayed on the display means 4 to notify the worker.

More specifically, individual parts and units to be reused in the apparatus are determined in advance, and a limit on the number of used parts of the apparatus is set for each part or unit before the apparatus is sold. Here, assuming a fixing unit or a paper cassette of a facsimile apparatus as an example, it is confirmed by evaluation that the final life of the fixing unit is 1,000,000 sheets, and an operation cycle in which replacement is performed is set to 5 years. If the operation status of the apparatus is predicted and printing processing is performed for 100,000 / year, and if printing processing of 500,000 sheets is expected to be performed for 5 years, the apparatus collected after 5 years Since the remaining fixing unit is 1,000,000 sheets-500,000 sheets = 500,000 sheets, it can be set as a unit to be reused and used again as a unit. In the case of reuse, the limit number of the fixing unit is set to 500,000.

It is confirmed by evaluation that the next paper cassette has a final life of 800,000 sheets, and a replacement cycle similar to that of the fixing unit is set to 5 years. If it is assumed that the apparatus will perform printing processing of 100,000 / year, and it is predicted that 500,000 sheets will be printed in 5 years, the paper cassette of the apparatus collected after 5 years will have 800,000 sheets-500,000 remaining. Sheets = 3
Since it is 100,000 sheets, it is set as a reusable unit and used again as a unit. At this time, the limit is set to 300,000.

In a device collected for performing reprocessing, for example, by performing a special operation from an operation panel or the like, count information (number of used sheets) indicating the operation state of the device is obtained.
And displays the names of reusable parts and units that are less than the limit count information (limit count) registered in advance on the display unit 4 based on the information.

When the number of parts and units to be displayed is large, all the part names are displayed by scrolling the display screen. The names of the parts and units to be displayed are registered / displayed in a language (for example, Japanese or English) for each base so that the names can be used at a plurality of recycling bases.
3A and 3B show display examples.

Further, in the case where the reuse is performed based on the used number of the collected apparatuses, an example will be described in which the preset limit number of each component or unit serving as a criterion is set as follows.

Now, the conditions are as follows: ・ Estimated number of prints after 5 years = 500,000 sheets ・ Number of prints used by the recovery device = 450,000 sheets ・ Fixed unit limit number = 500,000 sheets ・ Optical unit limit number = 1,000,000 sheets ・ Paper If the number of cassettes is limited to 300,000 and the number of motors is limited to 1,000,000, under this condition, the paper cassette whose number of prints is smaller than the number of prints used by the collected apparatus is displayed on the display 10
(See FIG. 4).

Instead of displaying as described above, or displaying and printing the names of reusable parts and units. At this time, it is difficult to grasp the individual parts and the like only by the names of the parts and units.In order to perform an efficient operation, specify the shape and position of the part in the device, It needs to be presented to the dismantling / reprocessing operator. Since the reusable parts and units are determined in advance, the reusable parts list 12 created based on the parts and units is printed. For example, in a perspective view, an exploded view, or the like of the apparatus, a list number 13 of each part or unit is displayed.
(See FIG. 5).

Further, the names of parts and units corresponding to the list numbers may be displayed on the display unit 10 (see FIG. 6). FIG. 7 shows a state in which the list numbers of the reused parts list are assigned to the parts and units of the corresponding apparatus, and the printed list numbers correspond to the list numbers written on the parts and the like, Even if the device is disassembled, parts and the like can be grasped.

As shown in FIG. 8, reprocessing information 14 for reusing parts and units in the current state, reusing after cleaning processing, and reusing as raw materials is added to the reusable parts list. In addition to this, as in the display example shown in FIG. 9, reprocessing information is displayed to display the status of the apparatus that performs processing before the reprocessing operation. With this display, it is possible to grasp the status of the parts and units to be reused before dismantling the device, to perform the sorting process based on the work content, and to more efficiently perform the sorting / sorting work for subsequent processes. And accurately.

Note that a PC as described above is used as the storage means.
If an external storage medium such as a card is used, a separate display / printing device is required without performing display / printing depending on the collected device, but a PC card is transferred to the device to obtain reuse information. May be.

Further, in order to reuse, the reuse information of the parts and units to be reused is newly set, so it is necessary to acquire the number of used parts (units) (count information) as the reuse information. . Further, the number of parts used for each part or unit varies depending on replacement of maintenance work caused by a failure or the like during operation of the apparatus. Therefore, when the replacement of parts is detected by the detecting means shown in FIG. The operator who performed the operation resets the count information of the corresponding part and also updates the replacement history indicating that the component has been replaced.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a table of reuse information printed out. In this table, the number of motors used for No. 4 is 80,000, and furthermore, it can be seen from the replacement history that replacement has been performed during the use period. Understand. Since 920,000 sheets can be used up to the limit number, when reusing the motor, the limit number of the motor is set to 920,000 sheets. FIG. 11 is an example of a printed-out table of reuse information showing only parts and units that can be reused based on the comparison result between the count information and the limited count information.

The tables showing the reuse information in FIGS. 10 and 11 are arranged in the order of disassembling the apparatus as shown in the table of FIG. 12, for example, parts and units such as a paper cassette → optical unit → fixing unit → motor. To print. Based on this, the dismantling worker proceeds in accordance with the dismantling procedure set in advance, and after disassembling the corresponding parts, separates the container for transport to the next process according to the reuse condition, and performs the processing work based on the procedure. It can be performed more efficiently.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to determine whether or not a part or unit can be used while recognizing the usage status of the part or unit in actual operation, so the type and quantity of the part to be reused can be increased, and as a result it is discarded This reduces the number of parts that are lost and reduces the burden on the environment.

Further, the reusable parts can be easily identified, the work efficiency of the dismantling worker can be increased, and the cost of reusing can be kept relatively low. This has the effect of promoting the spread of the products used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a parts recycling system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a facsimile machine having a parts recycling system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a display example in Japanese of a reusable part or unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a display example in English.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example based on a comparison result between the count information and the limited count information according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a print example of a reused component list according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a reused component list according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a list number of a reused component list is added to a component according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a print example of a reusable parts list to which reprocessing information is added according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a reusable parts list to which reprocessing information is added according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a print example of a reused component list to which count information is added according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a print example of a reused component list based on a comparison result between the count information and the limit count information according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a print example of a reused component list in which parts and units are displayed in disassembly order according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Storage means 2 Counting means 3 Comparison means 4 Display means (operation panel) 5 Printing means 10 Display unit 11a, 11b Key switch 12 Reused parts list 13 List number 14 Reprocessing information

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A component recycling system for an apparatus for reusing each individual component or unit constituting the apparatus, comprising a storage unit for registering reuse information for each individual component or unit in the apparatus. A parts recycling system for an apparatus. 2. The storage means, as reuse information, count information indicating the operation status of each component or unit in the device acquired by the count means, and limited count information serving as a threshold value of the count information. 2. The parts recycling system for an apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is registered for each of the names of the individual parts or units. 3. The parts recycling system for an apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the counting information of said counting means is a processed number of the read number and the printed number. 4. A comparison means for comparing limited count information and count information stored in the storage means, and a display means for displaying reuse information of individual parts or units to be reused based on the comparison result. 3. The parts recycling system for an apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: 5. A storage device according to claim 1, wherein a list number of each component or unit constituting the apparatus in a reusable parts list provided in advance is registered as reuse information. Or a parts recycling system for an apparatus according to item 2. 6. The parts recycling system for an apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a list number in said reusable parts list is described in a part or unit corresponding to said list number. 7. A reprocessing for the storage means, which indicates, as a reusing process for each part or unit, whether to perform a reusing process as is, a reusing process after a cleaning process, or a reusing process as a raw material. 3. The parts recycling system for an apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is registered as reuse information. 8. When replacing individual parts or units, the setting of new count information of the replaced parts or units and the setting of the replacement history are registered as reuse information in the storage means. The parts recycling system for an apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 9. The parts recycling system according to claim 1, wherein the reuse information registered in the storage unit is printed out. 10. The printout of the reuse information is performed by selecting from the reuse information of parts and units in accordance with the result of a comparison unit that compares the limited count information with the count information. The system for recycling parts of an apparatus according to claim 9. 11. The parts recycling system for an apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the printout of the reuse information is performed in a disassembly order of individual parts and units constituting the apparatus.