WO2012035186A1

WO2012035186A1 - Set of devices for checking the status of waste containers, and corresponding check method

Info

Publication number: WO2012035186A1
Application number: PCT/ES2011/070639
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerardo CAÑIBANO CASARRUBIOS
Original assignee: Wairbut, S.A.
Priority date: 2010-09-14
Filing date: 2011-09-13
Publication date: 2012-03-22
Also published as: WO2012035186A4; ES2378389B1; ES2378389A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a set of devices for checking the status of waste containers and to the corresponding check method. The set of devices includes: a set of standard waste containers (21); at least one local telemetry device (1) disposed in each of the standard containers, in turn containing a device for checking the fill level of the standard containers and a device for transmitting information from each container to at least one receiving unit; a central information processing unit; and a connection between the local telemetry devices disposed in each of the standard containers and the central information processing unit. The method includes: grouping of the containers into groups or clusters; communication between the containers from one group and a master container; and communication between the master container and a central information processing unit.

Description

Set of devices for the control of state of waste containers and corresponding control method. A subject of the present invention is a set of devices for controlling the condition of waste containers, said containers being provided with a load sensing device as well as an electrical power device and a recharging device for said power supply device. The invention also relates to a method of controlling the condition of said containers for and optimization of their collection routes and establishment of policies aimed at improving the quality level.

Currently the generation and management of waste constitutes a serious environmental problem for modern societies. A significant fact is that 2.8% of greenhouse gases (GHG) are contributed by the waste. This fact is so important that there are policies at all levels to minimize these effects, as is the case in Spain of the Integrated National Waste Plan. Within this area and with the objective of establishing more efficient management models throughout the waste collection process, research and development of technology in the field of waste collection and treatment processes that replace the processes and Traditional devices for more efficient ones, contributing to environmental sustainability thanks to the incorporation of information and communications technologies.

The total production volume of recycled metal, paper and cardboard, wood, glass and plastic waste reached in 2007 in Spain 15.7 million tons, which represents an increase of 12.5 percent over the previous year, according to data from the DBK report "Waste Recycling". In terms of value, the total production of recycled waste reached 1,720 million euros in 2007 (including metal, paper and cardboard, wood, glass and plastic), after registering growth of 25% in 2006 and 17% in the past year . On the other hand, the volume of paper and cardboard production reached 4.9 million tons, around 6% more than the previous year, generating more than 5,000 million euros per year and employing 17,750 direct workers. In the case of glass, the recycling volume was estimated at 936 million tons, which represents a recycling rate of 56% with an annual growth of close to 10%. From the moment of the implementation of the ECOVIDRIO GIS, the rate of containerization (containers / inhabitant) begins to grow rapidly. Currently, in Spain there are more than 106,000 glass containers installed in the streets of 7,466 municipalities throughout the country, covering approximately 99% of the population. This implies an average containerization ratio of one per 400 inhabitants; the largest in Europe, when the forecast of the National Urban Waste Plan for 2006 was to reach the figure of one per 500 inhabitants. As a whole and taking into account all the different types of containers (Organic, Packaging, Paper, Cardboard and Glass) it is estimated that there may be around half a million containers in Spain. The forecasts for the evolution of the production of recycled metal, paper and cardboard, wood, glass and plastic waste for the next few years point to high growth rates, with expected production increases close to 10%. Thus, total production stood at about 17.4 million tons at the end of 2008.

There are some systems that allow to optimize the urban waste collection circuits but based on datawarehouse system that are fed with the daily information provided by the operators but that at no time are able to offer reliable information of the situation in real time.

According to the invention, the following objectives are intended to be achieved, among others:

• establishment and real-time monitoring of quality levels in the waste collection process, such as urban waste;

• generation of alarm levels when quality levels are not reached;

• permanent control and monitoring of the level of container filling;

• Obtaining statistics and behavior patterns in the process of generating urban waste;

• increase in productivity by reducing costs in the service; • efficiency improvement in collection routes; avoid unnecessary displacement with special impact on geographically dispersed urban centers or with containers in areas far from cities and towns.

· Minimization of loading and unloading time in carrier vehicles; focusing on those with optimal filling levels;

• Increase productivity by truck, person and container;

· Greater control by knowledge of work in real time, location, telemetry;

• Support for decision making with real-time information on what is happening;

• Traceability of products for manufacturers;

· For Municipalities and Public Services, cost reduction, "Peer per Use";

• Reduce error rate, real-time controls, employee information;

• Image enhancement, prevents bad image of overflowing containers and dirt on public roads;

• New customer services, "On Demand" service;

• Information on social patterns in waste recycling, + 8 application potential of individualized rate per volume of waste.

The proposed invention focuses on improving the profitability of recycling companies by solving technical aspects that affect the cost of collection and the lack of information on the patterns and social patterns of recycling of different types of waste as well such as knowledge of the traceability of recycling bins and containers. The incorporation of economies of scale in the activity and greater specialization could generate considerable savings in the sector.

State of the art

ES 2138514 describes a procedure and container for the collection of solid waste in which a filling level detector is arranged, the connection comprising a self-powered emitter with an operating control center.

GB 2402737 also describes a level sensor for waste containers, with at least one level indicator that indicates when the container should be emptied. It also includes means of transmission to a computerized system.

Description of the invention

The proposed invention consists of a set of devices formed by:

• A set of waste containers, such as urban waste containers;

• At least one local telemetry equipment arranged in each of the containers, containing in turn:

o A container level control device; such a control device may consist of an ultrasonic volumetric sensor, an electronic weighing device, among others, that measures the volume of cargo of the container; It's about a electronic equipment of reduced dimensions and of very low consumption so that it has enough autonomy and that will be inserted in the chassis of the containers; This equipment can be equipped with GPS tracking functions, UMTS communications for permanent communication with a Control Center, high reliability sensors for measuring the level of container filling and programmable operating software to configure the operation of the equipment;

o A device for transmitting information from each container to at least one receiving unit;

o A power supply device of the electronic weighing device and / or the information transmission device; said power supply device will normally consist of a rechargeable battery, but static containers, for example underground, can also be powered by the power grid;

or A recharging device of the power supply device, when said power supply device is a rechargeable battery; the recharging device may be formed by a photovoltaic solar collector normally arranged in the upper cover of the container;

o Local electronic units are expected to understand:

^■ Ports: local electronic units will comprise RS232 communication ports, 10 ■ Ultrasonic sensors: all systems can connect up to 16 ultrasonic sensors, sharing the same RS232 bus;

^■ GPS: a serial port will be available for the possible connection of a GPS device ^■ RTC: Real Timer Clock, to have the time and date accurately; It will be used for general network timing.

One or more receiving units arranged in at least one fixed location or a "master" container (we call it "master" as a unit for collecting and re-issuing the information of nearby containers); there may be a set of nearby containers forming a cluster; in this case one of them will be the master's degree (it will have communications by mobile telephony and ZigBee) and the rest of the containers will be Slaves (its electronics will only have ZigBee communications); In this case a communications network is created, so that the master centralizes communications with the Central Server. ZigBee is the name of the specification of a set of high-level wireless communication protocols for use with low-consumption digital radios;

A central unit of information processing; This central information processing unit will be in a waste control and monitoring center; it comprises a web application together with a database manager in which all the measurements in real time of the managed containers are stored; These measurements are obtained through a communications manager that will periodically synchronize with all telemetry equipment; The application includes a graphical interface that will be displayed on the management monitors through a Geographic Information System of the city with visual signals that will indicate the quality levels of each area, type of container, and that allows to incorporate an integral scorecard from which can be carried out a centralized management of the entire network of containers; changes or updates of software or configuration parameters can be made from the central processing unit of the information;

• A connection between the receiving unit (s) and an information processing center; the connection will normally be wireless, but it can be a fixed cable connection in the event that the location of the receiving unit is fixed, for example arranged in a building or in a fixed underground container; in wireless communications, the electronic system will have the option of communications through UMTS,

GSM GPRS or via SMS and ZigBee communications, to implement a local network of nearby containers (cluster). In the manufacturing phase one or both communication systems will be installed in each container depending on the specifications and requirements thereof.

Each of the containers will also comprise an identification device, and possibly a position detector, such as a GPS device.

Wireless communication may take place through different communication devices, using any available technology, such as radio frequency, UMTS broadband wireless technology, GSM. GPRS or via SMS, WiFi, ultrasonic technology (although this is not very suitable for communications over a distance), and in general an electronic communications technology of low cost, dimensions and consumption, powered by an autonomous power system with long duration, etc. A method of monitoring the condition of the containers for the planning of collection routes is also described, which includes:

• A grouping of containers into groups or clusters;

• A communication of the containers of a group with a master container or with a communication unit of each group or cluster,

• A direct or indirect communication of the master container or the communication unit of each group or cluster with a central unit of information processing; the connection can be wired or wireless, for example by means of mobile telephony;

• An identification of the container and its geographical position;

• The combination of the location of the container with a geographic information system;

• Issuance of container status alarms based on mass or volumetric load levels;

• The generation of collection routes from the information obtained.

Brief description of the drawings

In order to illustrate the explanation to be followed, we attach to the present specification three sheets of drawings, in which the essence of the present invention is represented in three figures, and in which:

Figure 1 shows a representation of an example scheme of a telemetry equipment arranged in each of the containers;

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of an example of the communication system of the invention; in which communication between different containers so-called standard with a container called master is done wirelessly, as well as the master container communicates wirelessly with a central unit of information processing;

Figure 3 shows a schematic view of an example of the communication system according to the invention, in which an communication interface between the master containers and the central unit of information processing is optionally arranged, the communication between said interface being and said central processing unit by cable or wireless.

Description of an embodiment of the invention

By way of example, and without limitation, a preferred embodiment of the invention is set forth below.

Thus, there is a set of containers (21,22) in a geographical area in which said containers (21,22) must be managed, so that each of the containers comprises telemetry equipment (1).

Each telemetry equipment (1) is composed of a PLC (2) equipped with a microprocessor (11) with its corresponding memory, a wireless communication module (13), for example by mobile telephony, measuring sensor (s) (14) , charging system (12), and a battery (15) as a power supply device. The PLC (2) is provided with an operating system (Firmware) (16) that manages the different operations They are made. The telemetry equipment will have a transformer (17) to adjust the electrical voltage to that required.

The sensor or measurement sensors (14) are at least one of the following:

• Ultrasonic sensor;

• Sensor using infrared radiation;

• Optical sensors. There are, according to the invention, at least one set of standard containers (21) provided with telemetry equipment (1), as well as a receiving equipment. The receiving equipment can be a master container (22), in which in addition to the receiving equipment there is also a sending equipment. Said sending equipment may form a joint unit with the corresponding receiving equipment, or constitute a different unit.

According to one option, the master container (22), through its sending equipment, communicates directly with the central information processing unit, so that the central information processing unit (23) permanently has the data , not only of the master container (22), but also of the standard containers (21) that form a group, through said master container (22) of the group itself.

According to another option, there is also a communications unit (24) independent of the master container (22) and the standard containers (21), so that a group of containers may not need said master container (22), but communicate directly with said communications unit (24), or communicate with said communications unit (24) through the master container (22). The unit of communications (24) may be connected to the central information processing unit (23) by wireless means or by cable; Since said communications unit (24) will be (where appropriate) in a fixed location, it can be powered by the power grid, thus allowing the master container (22) to require a moderately small power, and therefore a consumption also small, while the powerful transmission that requires more consumption can be done through a communications unit.

Said communications unit (24) may also be arranged in one or more vehicles, said vehicles may also be those for unloading said containers, so that it is during a certain route when it is established, depending on the frequency of passage of the vehicle and of the level of load of the container, if it is necessary to proceed to the collection or not of said container. Obviously, this option will be more appropriate when it comes to products for recycling or reuse, such as paper or cardboard, glass, clothing, rather than for organic products, which will require a very frequent collection regardless of the state of loading of the container. In addition, "urgent" collection routes can be established for containers that have reached a saturation level.

A communications unit (24) can correspond to a single group of containers, or allow the grouping of several of these, depending on the distance between them.

The master containers are capable of being programmed from the central unit of information processing, as well as, where appropriate, the standard containers. A management center will comprise all the functional elements of management, whose architecture will normally be equipped with a GSM communications system. GPRS, SMS, or UMTS, a connectivity software, and in which a process of collecting data from containers, an information store in databases, as well as a graphic management interface and alert notification will be carried out periodically .

We highlight as a very important advantage, the ability to measure in real time the level of filling of urban waste containers through electronic devices incorporated into the container's own chassis and endowed with autonomy for long periods of time. This characteristic is the one that undoubtedly allows for a global efficient management system with all the objectives discussed above.

Claims

1. - Set of devices for the control of the condition of waste containers formed by:

«A set of standard waste containers (21), such as urban waste containers;

• At least one local telemetry equipment (1) arranged in each of the standard containers, containing in turn:

o A load level control device for standard containers;

o A device for transmitting information from each standard container to at least one receiving unit;

• A central unit of information processing

• A connection between the local telemetry equipment arranged in each of the standard containers and the central unit of information processing.

2. - Set of devices for the control of the state of waste containers, according to claim 1, characterized in that the standard containers are divided into groups or clusters, each of the groups comprising at least one "master" container (22), said "master" containers, in addition to the devices comprising the standard containers, a receiving device and a device re-sending the information of the group or cluster containers to the central information processing unit.

3. - Set of devices for monitoring the condition of waste containers, according to claim 2, characterized in that the communication devices between the standard containers of a group or cluster and the master container of said group or cluster are of type ZigBee.

4. - Set of devices for controlling the condition of waste containers, according to any of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the master container comprises at least one communication device, selected from the following:

Cable communication

Radio frequency

Mobile telephony

Wifi.

5. - Set of devices for controlling the condition of waste containers, according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each of the containers also comprises an identification device.

6. - Set of devices for controlling the condition of waste containers, according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each of the containers also comprises a position detector, such as a GPS device.

7. - Set of devices for monitoring the condition of waste containers, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one of the containers comprises a power supply device consisting of a rechargeable battery.

8. - Set of devices for monitoring the condition of waste containers, according to claim 7, characterized in that each Container further comprises a recharging device of the rechargeable battery power supply device, consisting of a photovoltaic solar collector normally arranged on the top cover of the container.

9. - Set of devices for monitoring the condition of waste containers, according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each telemetry equipment (1) is composed of:

• a PLC (2) provided with a microprocessor (11) with its corresponding memory;

• a wireless communication module (13);

• measuring sensor (s) (14),

• a charging system (12), and

• a battery (15) as a power supply device.

10. - Set of devices for controlling the condition of waste containers, according to claim 9, characterized in that the sensor or the measurement sensors (14) are at least one of the following:

• Ultrasonic sensor;

· Sensor using infrared radiation;

• Optical sensors.

11. - Method of monitoring the condition of waste containers for the planning of collection routes, characterized in that it includes:

• A programming of the local telemetry equipment providing an identification of each container, said programming configuring a grouping of the containers into groups or clusters; • Establishment of a group container's communication with a master container or with a communication unit of each group or cluster,

• Establishment of a direct or indirect communication of the master container or the communication unit of each group or cluster with a central unit of information processing.

12. - Method of monitoring the condition of the containers for the planning of collection routes, according to claim 11, characterized in that it also includes:

• Container identification communication

• The detection and emission of the geographical position.

13. - Method of controlling the condition of the containers for the planning of collection routes, according to claim 12, characterized in that it also includes a process of integration of the geographical position with a geographic information system.

14. - Method of monitoring the condition of the containers for the planning of collection routes, according to any of claims li to 13, characterized in that it comprises the issuance of status alarms of the containers as a function of mass or volumetric load levels default

15.- Method of monitoring the condition of the containers for the planning of collection routes, according to any of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the establishment of direct or indirect communication of the master container or the communications unit of each group or cluster with the central unit of information processing takes place through mobile telephony.

16.- Method of monitoring the condition of the containers for the planning of collection routes, according to any of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the direct or indirect communication of the master container or the communication unit of each group or cluster with the Central unit of information processing takes place through the establishment of a communication by means of a fixed cable connection as long as the location of the receiving unit is fixed.