JP2011102760A - Apparatus and method for identifying resin - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an identification apparatus which can identify a polymer regardless of a shape, and so on (shape, size, thickness, and so on) of an identification object. <P>SOLUTION: A resin identification apparatus irradiates a crushed mixed resin to be conveyed by a conveyance means with light, detects reflected light or scattered light from the crushed mixed resin with a detection element, and identifies kinds of the resin and additives thereof based on detection results, wherein the detection results are obtained based on a plurality of spectra to be obtained due to different distances between the detection element and the predetermined crushed mixed resin. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for identifying a reusable resin from a crushed mixed resin obtained from waste home appliances and the like, and a resin identification method using the identification apparatus.

  In the recycling of resins in waste home appliances, the parts that can be dismantled by hand are limited. Therefore, small parts and parts with complicated structures are mechanically crushed to select metals or resins. It is necessary to use recycled materials.

  In this case, since it is required to separate each material from the pulverized and mixed state, an advanced sorting technique is required. Among these, metals are selected by specific gravity or electrical or magnetic force, but polymers (including, for example, polymers and resins described in JP-A No. 2002-323450, paragraph No. [0004]) are: Since selection by electric or magnetic force is not possible, the polymer conveyed by the conveying means is irradiated with light, and the type is identified based on the spectrum obtained from the reflected light or scattered light from the polymer. There exists a method (for example, refer patent document 1).

JP 2002-323450 A (2 pages 5 to 8, lines 1 and 3)

  However, in the identification device described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to bring the polymer into close contact with the translucent part, but when the polymer has irregularities and warpage, the distance between the polymer and the detection element is kept constant. There is a problem that identification is difficult because a spectrum having a good S / N ratio cannot be obtained.

  Further, in the identification device having a structure in which the light irradiation unit and the detection element are installed on the side of the conveying means, when the thickness of the object is small, the irradiation light does not hit the polymer or is irradiated to the polymer. However, since the intensity of the reflected light or scattered light is weak, it is impossible to detect a spectrum having an intensity sufficient to identify the material of the polymer, which makes it difficult to identify.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an identification device capable of identifying a polymer regardless of the shape or the like (shape, size, thickness, etc.) of an identification object. The purpose is to get.

  The resin identification device according to the present invention irradiates light to the crushed mixed resin conveyed by the conveying means, detects reflected light or scattered light from the crushed mixed resin with a detection element, and based on the detection result, the resin In the resin identification device for identifying the type of the additive, the detection result is configured to be obtained based on a plurality of spectra obtained by different distances between the detection element and the predetermined crushed mixed resin. It is a thing.

  The present invention enables highly accurate material identification regardless of the shape of the crushed mixed resin (hereinafter also referred to as a resin piece) to be identified.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of the identification device in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the data processing part of the identification device in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the figure which showed each spectrum data of ABS, and the relationship with these integration data. It is the schematic which showed concretely the process of the data processing part of the identification device in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the identification device in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the conveyance part in Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is the figure which showed the relationship with the some data which acquired the spectrum data of ABS continuously, and these integration data. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the conveyance part in Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the conveyance part in Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the selection apparatus in Embodiment 7 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the selection apparatus in Embodiment 8 of this invention.

Embodiment 1.
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and ratios of dimensions and the like are different from actual ones. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in consideration of the following description. Moreover, it is a matter of course that portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios are included between the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an identification apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, (a), (b), and (c) show the object to be identified 10 when the object to be identified 10, which is a plastic piece to be identified, is transported by the transport unit 20 to the light irradiation region composed of the light irradiation unit 30. Shows each state when passing under each light irradiation unit 30. The light irradiation unit 30 irradiates the identification target 10 with the first light irradiation unit 31 that irradiates the first irradiation light 1a from the most distant first distance, and the second irradiation light 1b from the second distance that is next distant. And a third light irradiating unit 33 for irradiating the third irradiating light 1c from the nearest third distance.

  The detection unit 40 includes a first detection unit 41 including a detection element for detecting the first detection light 2a that is reflected light or scattered light when the identification target 10 is irradiated with the first irradiation light 1a. The second detection unit 42 including a detection element for detecting the second detection light 2b, which is reflected light or scattered light when the second irradiation light 1b is applied to the light source 10, and the third irradiation light to the identification target 10 A third detection unit 43 including a detection element for detecting the third detection light 2c, which is reflected light or scattered light when irradiated with 1c, is provided.

  In (a), the first detection light 2a is detected, and in (b) and (c), the second detection light 2b and the third detection light 2c are detected. Each spectrum data of each detection light detected by the detection unit 40 is sent to the data processing unit 50 and processed. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the data processing unit of the identification device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, a data processing unit 50 includes a recording unit 51 that records each spectrum data, a calculation unit 53 that compares each spectrum data with reference data stored in advance in the storage unit 52, and a calculation result from the calculation unit 53. The identification unit 54 identifies the material of the identification target 10 based on the identification unit 54.

  Next, an identification method will be described. FIG. 3 shows Raman spectrum data of, for example, ABS (acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene copolymerization resin, hereinafter referred to as ABS) detected by the detection unit 40, and integrated data thereof. It is the figure which showed the relationship. Here, for example, the first detection unit 41 is provided at a position focused on the surface of the identification target 10 having the maximum thickness that can be conveyed, and the third detection unit 43 is focused on the conveyance surface of the conveyance unit 20. The second detection unit 42 is provided at a position that is in the middle between the first detection unit 41 and the third detection unit 43. As the conveyance unit 20, for example, an endless conveyor can be used.

  When the identification target 10 supplied to the transport unit 20 passes through the detection unit 40, it passes through detection points near the detection units of the first detection unit 41, the second detection unit 42, and the third detection unit 43. The first spectrum 101, the second spectrum 102, and the third spectrum 103 respectively show the spectra detected at the time. Here, these data are sent to the data processing unit 50 and stored in the recording unit 51. Next, the integrated spectrum 104 which is the integrated data is obtained by the arithmetic unit 53 and compared with the reference data stored in the storage unit 52 in advance. Therefore, the material of the identification object 10 is identified from the comparison result. FIG. 4 shows, for example, comparison with PP (Polypropylene), HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene), and ABS data stored in the storage unit 52 when ABS Raman spectrum data (integrated data) is obtained. It is the schematic which showed the process in which it identifies specifically. As is apparent from the figure, it is understood that the data recorded in the recording unit 51 is calculated by the calculation unit 53 and matches the data stored in the ABS. As a result, the identification unit identifies the identified object 10 as an ABS.

  With the configuration of the identification device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, for example, a peak such as the first spectrum 101 detected by the first detector 41 having a small thickness and a focal length that does not match at all is recognized. Even when a non-material identifiable spectrum is detected, data of the second identifiable spectrum 102 and the third spectrum 103 in which a peak is recognized can be detected simultaneously. Can be identified. In addition, a plurality of data can be acquired for the same identification target 10, and the material of the identification target 10 can be more reliably identified by accumulating the plurality of data. These effects are remarkable effects that cannot be obtained by a conventional identification device having only one detection unit.

  In the configuration of the identification device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the three light irradiation units 30 and the detection units 40 are provided. However, the distance from each detection unit is two or more. If so, the number of units is not particularly limited. For example, the number of units may be two, four or five, or any number.

  Further, although plastic has been described as the resin that is the object to be identified according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the material of the object to be identified can be identified based on the spectrum of reflected light or scattered light from the object to be identified. Any resin may be used. Examples of such resins include those described in JP 2002-323450 A, paragraph [0004], and polymers and additives in polymer materials.

  It is obvious that it is important to identify the material of a plastic piece that has been crushed to a size that fits within a predetermined size, for example, approximately 2 to 100 mm square, especially when recycling resin in waste home appliances. Needless to say, identification of rubber-based resin or sponge mixed in the piece is also important. In addition, although it does not correspond to resin, it is clear that carbon fiber and metal fiber cannot be distinguished, and these substances can be sorted by different sorting methods such as specific gravity sorting and electrostatic sorting.

  Further, as a method for identifying the material of the identification object based on the spectrum of reflected light or scattered light from the identification object, Raman spectrum analysis, or near infrared, middle infrared, far infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, and A known method based on spectroscopic analysis such as fluorescence can be used. For example, a method based on Raman spectrum analysis is described in JP-A-10-38807, and a method based on mid-infrared spectroscopy is described in JP-A-2001-108527.

Embodiment 2.
In the first embodiment, the device for identifying what the material of the identification object is by using the integrated spectrum and comparing with the reference data stored in advance in the storage unit 52 has been described. 50, when comparing with the reference data stored in the storage unit 52 in advance, the material having the best S / N ratio is identified from the detected spectra to identify what the material of the identification object is. You may comprise as follows. Here, the spectrum having the best S / N ratio is, for example, the second spectrum 102 in FIG.

  With this configuration, even in a measurement environment with low detection sensitivity and a large amount of noise components, the best detection data among multiple spectral data obtained at multiple positions at different distances from the detection element By using, the material of the identification target 10 can be identified more reliably.

Embodiment 3.
In the first embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the surface of the identification target can be focused even when the shape of the identification target is different by changing the installation positions of the respective detection units having the same focal length. The same effect can be obtained by changing the focal length of each detection unit. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the identification apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the figure, (a), (b), and (c) show each light irradiation unit when the object to be identified 10 which is a plastic piece to be identified is transported by the transport unit 20 to the light irradiation region composed of the light irradiation unit 30. Each state when passing under 30 is shown. The portions denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have the same configuration, and thus description thereof is omitted. Here, different configurations will be described in detail.

  The detection unit 40 includes a detection element for detecting the first detection light 2a, which is reflected light or scattered light when the identification target 10 is irradiated with the first irradiation light 1a, and a first lens with a lens 201. The detection unit 44, a second detection with a lens including a detection element for detecting the second detection light 2 b that is reflected light or scattered light when the identification target 10 is irradiated with the second irradiation light 1 b and the second lens 202. And a third lens with a third element 203 and a detection element for detecting the third detection light 2c, which is reflected light or scattered light when the object 10 to be identified is irradiated with the third irradiation light 1c. A detection unit 46 is provided. In (a), the first detection light 2a is detected, and in (b) and (c), the second detection light 2b and the third detection light 2c are detected.

  Here, for example, the first lens 201 is designed to focus on the surface of the identification target 10 having the maximum thickness that can be transported, and the third lens 203 is designed to focus on the transport surface of the transport unit 20. The second lens 202 is designed to be in focus between the first lens 201 and the third lens 203. By designing in this way, the same effect as the case where the first detector 41, the second detector 42, and the third detector 43 of the first embodiment are provided with different positions can be obtained.

  Further, in the configuration of the identification device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, three light irradiation units 30 and three detection units 40 are provided, but the focal length from each detection unit is two or more. The number of detection units is not particularly limited as long as the detection unit uses a lens configuration. For example, the number of detection units may be two, four, five, or more.

  By configuring in this way, even when there is a height restriction on the installation of the identification device or when the thickness range of the identification target is fluid, appropriate lens selection and appropriate lens It can be easily handled by replacement, and a more flexible design is possible.

Embodiment 4.
In the above-described embodiment, the device for identifying the material of the identification target based on the data from the plurality of detection units 40 having different focal lengths has been described. However, the single detection unit 40 is provided, and the identification target is vertically moved. The same effect can be obtained by changing the distance from the identification object by moving and acquiring a plurality of data at each position. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the transport section according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the figure, (a), (b), and (c) show the light irradiation unit 30 when the object to be identified 10, which is a plastic piece to be identified, is transported by the transport unit 20 to the light irradiation region composed of the light irradiation unit 30. Each state when passing below is shown. The portions denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have the same configuration, and thus description thereof is omitted. Here, different configurations will be described in detail.

  The transport unit 20 is provided with a transport base 21 on which the identification target 10 can be placed and operated up and down. The identification target 10 placed on the carriage 21 is moved up and down when passing the detection point in the vicinity of the detection unit of the detection unit 40, and a plurality of spectra obtained at a plurality of positions with different distances from the detection element. By using the data and performing the same processing as in the above embodiment, the material of the identification target 10 can be reliably identified.

  With this configuration, the cost of the detection unit can be reduced, and the distance between the detection element and the identified object 10 can be continuously changed, so that a plurality of spectrum data can be detected continuously. Can do. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a plurality of data obtained by continuously acquiring, for example, ABS Raman spectrum data detected by the detection unit 40, and a relationship with these integrated data. In the figure, the integrated spectrum 106 of a plurality of continuous spectra 105 or the spectrum 107 having the best S / N ratio among the plurality of continuous spectra 105 is compared with the reference spectrum more reliably. The material of the identification object 10 can be identified.

  Furthermore, since the part of the identified object 10 to which the irradiation light 1 hits is transported, it can be avoided that the irradiation light 1 hits the same place a plurality of times, and it can be melted by absorbing light and having heat. Even colored plastics that are difficult to obtain spectra due to burning, can hardly have heat, can detect the spectrum, and can identify the material of the identification target 10 more reliably.

Embodiment 5.
In the fourth embodiment, the conveyance unit is provided with a conveyance table that can be moved up and down with the identification object mounted thereon, and the plurality of spectral data obtained at a plurality of positions at different distances from the detection element are used to reliably Although the apparatus for identifying the material of the object to be identified has been described above, the same effect can be obtained by providing an inclined surface on the transport surface of the transport unit so that the object to be identified can be inclined. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the transport section in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, (a), (b), and (c) show the object to be identified 10 when the object to be identified 10, which is a plastic piece to be identified, is transported by the transport unit 20 to the light irradiation region composed of the light irradiation unit 30. Each state at the time of passing under the light irradiation unit 30 is shown. The portions denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the fourth embodiment have the same configuration, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Here, different configurations will be described in detail.

  The transport unit 20 has a transport surface having a substantially serrated cross section, and the object to be identified 10 can be inclined. By configuring in this way, the identification object 10 acquires a plurality of spectrum data at a plurality of points when passing through a detection point in the vicinity of the detection unit of the detection unit 40. The same effects as those of the fourth embodiment can be obtained by using a plurality of spectral data at a plurality of positions having different distances. Further, compared to the fourth embodiment, the transport unit can be configured with a simple structure, the cost of the identification device can be reduced, and the number of operating parts is small, so that a more reliable identification device can be obtained. Can be configured.

Embodiment 6.
In the fifth embodiment, the transport unit is configured in a straight line. However, the transport unit may be configured in a disk shape and rotated to be transported. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the transport section in the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the parts denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the fifth embodiment have the same configuration, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Here, different configurations will be described in detail.

  The transport unit 20 has a transport surface having a substantially serrated cross section, and the object to be identified 10 can be inclined. By configuring in this way, the identification object 10 acquires a plurality of spectrum data at a plurality of points when passing through a detection point in the vicinity of the detection unit of the detection unit 40. The same effects as those of the fourth embodiment can be obtained by using a plurality of spectral data at a plurality of positions having different distances. Further, as compared with the fifth embodiment, a compact transport unit can be configured, and the installation area of the identification device can be reduced.

  In addition, although this Embodiment demonstrated the case where it was set as the said Embodiment 5, ie, the shape which provided the inclined surface in the conveyance surface of a conveyance part and made the to-be-identified body incline, it is in the said Embodiment 5. Needless to say, in all cases of the first to fourth embodiments, the transport unit can be configured in a disk shape.

Embodiment 7.
In the above embodiment, the mechanism until the identification object is identified has been described. However, by using the identification device, a mechanism for selecting and collecting the identification object after identification is provided. Recycling technology can be provided. In this case, the sorting device is a device provided with a mechanism for sorting and collecting the identification target after identification, but there is no strict boundary between the identification device and the sorting device, and the mechanism until the sorting is performed. May be used as an identification device. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a sorting apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. Here, (a) shows the figure which looked at the conveyance part from the side, and (b) shows the figure which looked at the conveyance part from the upper surface. In the figure, the parts denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the fifth embodiment have the same configuration, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Here, different configurations will be described in detail.

  The identification target 10 supplied from the supply unit 80 is conveyed by the conveyance unit 20 and is identified by the identification device described in the above embodiment, and then sorted by the separation unit 60 according to the type of material. Here, the separation unit 60 is provided with, for example, an air gun, and selects a predetermined identification object 10 by air pressure. The predetermined identification object 10 a selected by the separation unit 60 is collected in the first collection container 71, and the other identification object 10 b is collected in the second collection container 72. Here, the case where two types of identification objects 10 are selected has been described. However, by providing more air guns and collection containers, or by changing the air pressure of the air gun, the number is not limited to only two types. Needless to say, more than one sort can be selected.

  In addition, although this Embodiment demonstrated the case where it was set as the said Embodiment 5, ie, the shape which provided the inclined surface in the conveyance surface of a conveyance part and made the to-be-identified body incline, it is in the said Embodiment 5. Needless to say, in all of the first to fourth embodiments, it is possible to provide a mechanism for selecting and collecting the identification target after identification.

  By configuring in this way, it is possible not only to identify the type of the object to be identified, but also to collect it separately for each type, so that it is possible to provide a more specific technique for facilitating recycling. .

Embodiment 8.
In the seventh embodiment, it has been described that a mechanism is provided for selecting and recovering the identification target after identification. However, after the identification target is separated and collected for each material, the weight is measured for each material. By controlling the weight ratio and displaying it, quality control can be facilitated. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a sorting apparatus according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention. In the figure, the parts denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the seventh embodiment have the same configuration, and the description thereof is omitted. Here, different configurations will be described in detail.

  The predetermined identification object 10 a selected by the separation unit 60 is collected in the first collection container 71, and the other identification object 10 b is collected in the second collection container 72. The predetermined identification object 10 a is weighed by the first weighing unit 91. The other identification object 10b is weighed by the second weighing unit 92. Here, the weighing unit 90 is configured by, for example, using an upper pan balance and placing each collection container on the upper pan balance. As the material identification, separation, and collection proceed, the weighing unit 90 measures the weight of the collected identification target 10 and sends information about these to the weight information processing unit 55. The weight information processing unit 55 calculates the weight ratio for each material, and displays the weight and weight ratio for each material on the display unit 56. Here, the case where two types of identification objects 10 are selected has been described. However, by providing more air guns, collection containers, and measuring units, not only two types but also three or more types can be measured. Needless to say.

  In addition, although this Embodiment demonstrated the case where it was set as the said Embodiment 5, ie, the shape which provided the inclined surface in the conveyance surface of a conveyance part and made the to-be-identified body incline, it is in the said Embodiment 5. Needless to say, in all of the first to fourth embodiments, it is possible to provide a mechanism for selecting and collecting the identification target after identification.

  By configuring in this way, not only can the identified objects be sorted and collected by type, but also the weight ratio for each material can be checked and grasped sequentially, so quality control, reuse, etc. Data collection is possible.

  1 irradiation light, 1a first irradiation light, 1b second irradiation light, 1c third irradiation light, 2 detection light, 2a first detection light, 2b second detection light, 2c third detection light, 10 identification target, 10a Predetermined identification object, 10b Other identification object, 20 conveyance unit, 21 conveyance table, 30 light irradiation unit, 31 first light irradiation unit, 32 second light irradiation unit, 33 third light irradiation unit, 40 detection unit 41 First detection unit, 42 Second detection unit, 43 Third detection unit, 44 First detection unit with lens, 45 Second detection unit with lens, 46 Third detection unit with lens, 50 Data processing unit, 51 Recording Unit, 52 storage unit, 53 calculation unit, 54 identification unit, 55 weight information processing unit, 56 display unit, 60 separation unit, 71 first recovery container, 72 second recovery container, 80 supply unit, 90 weighing unit, 91 first 1 weighing section, 92 2nd weighing section, 101 1st spec 102, second spectrum, 103 third spectrum, 104 integrated spectrum, 105 continuous multiple spectra, 106 integrated spectrum, 107 spectrum with the best S / N ratio, 201 first lens, 202 second lens, 203 first Three lenses

Claims (6)

  A resin that irradiates light to the crushed mixed resin conveyed by the conveying means, detects reflected light or scattered light from the crushed mixed resin with a detection element, and identifies the type of the resin and its additive based on the detection result In this identification apparatus, the detection result is obtained based on a plurality of spectra obtained by different distances between the detection element and the predetermined crushed mixed resin.   2. The resin identification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection result is obtained by integrating a plurality of spectra obtained by different distances between the detection element and the predetermined crushed mixed resin.   The detection result is obtained based on a spectrum having the best S / N ratio selected from a plurality of spectra obtained by different distances between the detection element and the predetermined crushed mixed resin. The resin identification device according to 1.   The resin identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the separation unit separates each material based on the identification result, and the collection unit collects the crushed mixed resin separated by the separation unit. An apparatus for identifying a resin, comprising:   A weighing unit that measures the weight of the crushed mixed resin collected by the collecting unit, a processing unit that processes data based on the weighing result of the weighing unit, and a display unit that displays the result processed by the processing unit The resin identifying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein   A resin identification method comprising the resin identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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