Sorting device and sorting method for plastic recycling

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a sorting device and a sorting method for plastic recycling, and relates to the field of plastic recycling. The invention provides a sorting device for plastic recovery. The sorting device comprises a feeding system for storing plastic sheets; the upper end of the discharging groove is connected with the feeding system; the first hopper is connected to the lower end of the discharge chute; the second hopper is arranged on one side of the first hopper; the sorting box is arranged on the lower portion of the discharging groove and covers the discharging groove, an ultraviolet lamp and a visible camera are arranged in the sorting box, and the fluorescent plastic and the aged plastic are irradiated by the ultraviolet lamp to excite visible light of a specific wave band; and the spray valve assembly is arranged below the sorting box and opposite to the lower end of the discharging groove, and when the visible camera receives the visible light of the specific wave band, the spray valve assembly blows the fluorescent plastic or the aged plastic into the second hopper. Fluorescent plastic and aged plastic in the to-be-recycled plastic can be sorted out, and the quality and value of the plastic reworked material are improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of plastic recycling, in particular to a sorting device and method for plastic recycling. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the development of industrial society, the application of plastic products has penetrated into all aspects of industry and agriculture as well as daily life, accompanied by the generation of waste plastic garbage, which has a huge impact on the environment. For plastic products, recycling is currently the best way to solve the problem of plastic garbage. In the process of plastic garbage recycling, the main component of the plastic pieces after the plastic bottle is broken is polyester fiber, which has high economic value. However, the key to the recycling of plastic garbage is the removal of aged plastic and fluorescent plastic containing fluorescent whitening agent, because they will contaminate the regenerated material and reduce its quality and value.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a sorting device that can simultaneously sort fluorescent plastic and aged plastic, so as to improve the quality and value of the regenerated material. SUMMARY

[0004] The purpose of the present application includes providing a sorting device and method for plastic recycling, which can sort out fluorescent plastic and aged plastic in the plastic to be recycled, and improve the quality and value of the plastic regenerated material.

[0005] Embodiments of the present application can be implemented as follows: In a first aspect, the present application provides a sorting device for plastic recycling, comprising: a feeding system for storing plastic pieces to be sorted; a discharge chute, the discharge chute is inclinedly arranged, and the upper end of the discharge chute is connected with the feeding system; a first hopper connected and arranged at the lower end of the discharge chute; a second hopper arranged on one side of the first hopper; a sorting box arranged at the lower part of the discharge chute, and the sorting box is covered outside the discharge chute, and the sorting box is provided with ultraviolet lamps and visible cameras inside, and the fluorescent plastic and aged plastic are excited to emit visible light of a specific wave band under the irradiation of the ultraviolet lamps; a spray valve assembly arranged below the sorting box and opposite to the lower end of the discharge chute, when the visible camera receives visible light of a specific wave band, the spray valve assembly blows the fluorescent plastic or aged plastic into the second hopper.

[0006] In an optional embodiment, the sorting box includes a first chamber and a second chamber respectively arranged on both sides of the discharge chute, and a plurality of ultraviolet lamps and visible cameras are arranged in the first chamber and the second chamber.

[0007] In an optional embodiment, the discharge chute has a look point position within the sorting box, and the ultraviolet lamp and the visible camera are both aligned with the look point position.

[0008] In an optional embodiment, four ultraviolet lamps are arranged around the look point position in the first chamber.

[0009] In an optional embodiment, four ultraviolet lamps are arranged around the look point position in the second chamber.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, a background lamp is arranged in the first chamber and the second chamber.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, the sorting device further comprises a controller electrically connected with the visible camera and the spray valve assembly, the visible camera receives a visible light signal and transmits the visible light signal to the controller, and the controller is used to control the spray valve assembly to open when the visible light signal is in a specific wave band.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the discharge chute cover is provided with a mounting cover connected with the sorting box, and the lower end of the mounting cover is in communication with the first hopper and the second hopper.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, the feeding system comprises a vibrating hopper used to uniformly shake off the plastic pieces to be sorted into the discharge chute.

[0014] In a second aspect, the present application provides a plastic recycling and sorting method based on the sorting device for plastic recycling according to any one of the preceding embodiments, comprising the following steps: The plastic pieces to be sorted are conveyed to the discharge chute by the feeding system and slide down the discharge chute under the action of gravity; The ultraviolet lamp irradiates the plastic pieces to be sorted passing through the sorting box and excites different wave band visible light; When the visible camera receives the specific wave band visible light excited by the fluorescent plastic or the aged plastic, the spray valve assembly is started to blow the fluorescent plastic or the aged plastic into the second hopper; The remaining plastic pieces fall into the first hopper along the discharge chute.

[0015] The plastic recycling and sorting method provided by the embodiments of the present application has the following beneficial effects: By installing ultraviolet lamps inside the sorting box, the plastic sheets passing through the sorting box in the discharge trough are irradiated. Fluorescent plastics and aged plastics will emit visible light of a specific wavelength under the ultraviolet light. After the visible camera receives the visible light of the specific wavelength, the spray valve assembly is activated, blowing the fluorescent plastics or aged plastics into the second hopper, thereby realizing the sorting and recycling of plastics and improving the quality and value of recycled plastic materials. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the plastic recycling sorting device provided in this embodiment; Figure 2 This is a visible light wavelength diagram of the fluorescent plastic under ultraviolet light provided in this embodiment; Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the plastic recycling and sorting method provided in this embodiment.

[0018] Icons: 100 - Feeding system; 200 - Discharge chute; 300 - First hopper; 400 - Second hopper; 500 - Sorting box; 510 - Ultraviolet lamp; 520 - Visible camera; 530 - First chamber; 540 - Second chamber; 550 - Background light; 600 - Spray valve assembly; 610 - Controller; 700 - Mounting cover. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0020] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0021] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0022] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "inner," or "outer" are used to indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the product of this invention is usually placed, they are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0023] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0024] It should be noted that, where there is no conflict, the features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0025] The following detailed description, through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, details the overall structure, working principle, and technical effects of the plastic recycling sorting device provided by the present invention, as well as the detailed steps, implementation principles, and technical effects of the supporting plastic recycling sorting method.

[0026] First, the present invention provides a sorting device for plastic recycling, used to separate fluorescent plastics and aged plastics in the plastic recycling process, so as to improve the quality and value of recycled plastic materials.

[0027] Please refer to Figure 1The plastic recycling sorting device provided by the present invention includes a feeding system 100, a discharge trough 200, a first hopper 300, a second hopper 400, a sorting box 500, and a spray valve assembly 600. It also includes a frame providing a mounting carrier for the sorting device. The feeding system 100 is mounted on the top of the frame and is used to store plastic sheets to be sorted and to discharge the plastic sheets to be sorted. The discharge trough 200 is inclinedly mounted on the frame, and its upper end is connected to the feeding system 100. Plastic sheets discharged from the feeding system 100 onto the discharge trough 200 slide down the inclined discharge trough 200 under gravity. The first hopper 300 is mounted on the frame and located at the lower end of the discharge trough 200. Plastic sheets sliding down the discharge trough 200 fall into the first hopper 300 for collection and storage. The sorting box 500 is located below the discharge trough 200, and the discharge trough 200 passes through the sorting box 500, meaning the sorting box 500 covers the lower part of the discharge trough 200. An ultraviolet lamp 510 and a visible light camera 520 are installed inside the sorting box 500. The ultraviolet lamp 510 irradiates the plastic sheets passing through the sorting box 500, and fluorescent and aged plastics are excited by the ultraviolet lamp 510 to emit visible light of a specific wavelength. The visible light camera 520 receives the visible light emitted by the plastic sheets. A spray valve assembly 600 is located below the sorting box 500, and the spray nozzle of the spray valve assembly 600 is opposite to the lower end of the discharge trough 200. When the visible light camera 520 receives the visible light emitted by the ultraviolet lamp 510, the spray valve assembly 600 is activated, blowing the fluorescent or aged plastics falling from the discharge trough 200 into the second hopper 400 for collection and storage.

[0028] It should be noted that, please refer to Figure 2 Under visible LED lighting or infrared light, fluorescent and aged plastics appear no different in color from ordinary plastics. However, under ultraviolet light, they emit specific wavelengths of visible light. Fluorescent plastics exhibit a more pronounced blue tint, while aged plastics turn noticeably yellow. Figure 2 For example, the visible light wavelength excited by fluorescent plastics under ultraviolet irradiation is significantly different from that excited by normal plastics under ultraviolet irradiation. This is the main basis for identifying fluorescent plastics and aged plastics.

[0029] This invention utilizes an ultraviolet lamp 510 installed inside a sorting box 500 to irradiate plastic sheets passing through the sorting box 500 in a discharge trough 200. Fluorescent and aged plastics emit visible light of a specific wavelength under the irradiation of the ultraviolet lamp 510. After receiving the visible light of the specific wavelength, the visible camera 520 activates the spray valve assembly 600 to blow the fluorescent or aged plastic into the second hopper 400, thereby achieving the sorting and recycling of plastics and improving the quality and value of recycled plastic materials.

[0030] Please refer toFigure 1 In some optional embodiments, the sorting box 500 is elongated, and its length direction is perpendicular to the length direction of the discharge trough 200. Further, the sorting box 500 includes a first chamber 530 and a second chamber 540, located on opposite sides of the discharge trough 200. Each of the first and second chambers 530 contains a plurality of ultraviolet lamps 510 and a visible camera 520. Further, the discharge trough 200 has a viewing point within the sorting box 500, and both the ultraviolet lamps 510 and the visible camera 520 are aligned with this viewing point. Specifically, four ultraviolet lamps 510 are arranged at arc intervals around the viewing point within the first chamber 530, and the four ultraviolet lamps 510 are focused on the viewing point. Similarly, in the second chamber 540, four ultraviolet lamps 510 are also arranged at intervals along an arc around the viewing point, and the four ultraviolet lamps 510 are also focused on the viewing point.

[0031] By installing several ultraviolet lamps 510 in both the first chamber 530 and the second chamber 540, and focusing all the ultraviolet lamps 510 on the viewing point, the plastic sheet can be fully irradiated by the ultraviolet lamps 510 on both sides when it passes the viewing point, thereby fully stimulating visible light and improving the effect of the visible camera 520 in receiving the visible light emitted by the plastic sheet, thus improving the accuracy of plastic sorting.

[0032] Further, please refer to Figure 1 In order to further improve the reception of visible light signals by the visible camera 520, in some optional embodiments, a background light 550 is also provided in the first chamber 530 and the second chamber 540. The background light 550 is a conventional LED lighting lamp, which is used to supplement the light in the sorting box 500 to facilitate the operation of the visible camera 520. Under the illumination of the background light 550, the plastic sheet will only increase in brightness, and its color will not change.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 1 In this embodiment, to control the operation of the spray valve assembly 600, the sorting device further includes a controller 610, which is electrically connected to both the visible camera 520 and the spray valve assembly 600. The visible camera 520 receives the visible light signal from the plastic sheet and transmits it to the controller 610. The controller 610 analyzes the visible light signal and, when the visible light signal belongs to a specific wavelength range excited by fluorescent plastic or aged plastic under ultraviolet light, controls the spray valve assembly 600 to open, blowing the fluorescent plastic or aged plastic into the second hopper 400.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 1In some optional embodiments, the discharge trough 200 is covered by a mounting cover 700, which is connected to the sorting box 500, and the lower end of the mounting cover 700 is connected to both the first hopper 300 and the second hopper 400. Thus, the mounting cover 700 forms a sealed space around the discharge trough 200, communicating with the sorting box 500, the first hopper 300, and the second hopper 400. The top of this sealed space is open to facilitate material feeding. By providing the mounting cover 700, interference from external light sources and external airflow on plastic sorting is avoided, improving the accuracy of plastic sorting.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 1 In some optional embodiments, the feeding system 100 includes a vibrating hopper, which is used to uniformly shake the plastic sheets to be sorted into the discharge trough 200. The vibrating hopper achieves uniform discharge of the plastic sheets to be sorted, avoiding uneven discharge and overlapping of the plastic sheets, thereby improving the sorting effect.

[0036] On the other hand, please refer to Figure 3 The present invention also provides a method for sorting and recycling plastics, comprising the following steps: In step S100, the plastic sheet to be sorted is conveyed to the discharge trough 200 through the feeding system 100 and slides down the discharge trough 200 under the action of gravity.

[0037] The vibrating hopper evenly shakes the plastic sheets to be sorted into the discharge trough 200, preventing the plastic sheets from piling up in the discharge trough 200 and causing uneven discharge.

[0038] In step S200, the ultraviolet lamp 510 irradiates the plastic sheet to be sorted through the sorting box 500 and excites visible light of different wavelengths.

[0039] The plastic sheet slides down the discharge chute 200 and passes through the sorting box 500. At the observation point, several ultraviolet lamps 510 irradiate the plastic sheet from all directions. The plastic sheet emits visible light under the irradiation of the ultraviolet lamps 510. When the plastic sheet is fluorescent plastic or aged plastic, it will emit visible light of a specific wavelength. Specifically, fluorescent plastic appears obviously blue under the irradiation of the ultraviolet lamps 510, and aged plastic appears obviously yellow under the irradiation of the ultraviolet lamps 510.

[0040] In step S300, when the visible camera 520 receives visible light of a specific wavelength excited by fluorescent plastic or aged plastic, the spray valve assembly 600 is activated to blow the fluorescent plastic or aged plastic into the second hopper 400.

[0041] When the camera 520 receives visible light that is either distinctly blue or distinctly yellow, the controller 610 activates the spray valve assembly 600 to blow the fluorescent or aged plastic into the second hopper 400 for collection and storage.

[0042] In step S400, the remaining plastic sheets fall along the discharge chute 200 into the first hopper 300.

[0043] The remaining high-quality and high-value plastic sheets continue to slide down the discharge chute 200 and eventually fall into the first hopper 300 for collection and storage. As a result, the plastics in the first hopper 300 are all high-quality and high-value plastics, which improves the quality and value of the recycled materials formed after recycling.

[0044] In summary, the implementation principle of the plastic recycling sorting device and sorting method provided by the present invention is as follows: by setting an ultraviolet lamp 510 in the sorting box 500, the plastic sheets passing through the sorting box 500 in the discharge trough 200 are irradiated. Fluorescent plastics and aged plastics will emit visible light of a specific wavelength under the irradiation of the ultraviolet lamp 510. After the visible camera 520 receives the visible light of the specific wavelength, the spray valve assembly 600 is activated to blow the fluorescent plastics or aged plastics into the second hopper 400, thereby realizing the sorting and recycling of plastics and improving the quality and value of recycled plastic materials.

[0045] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sorting device for plastic recycling, characterized in that, include: The feeding system is used to store plastic sheets to be sorted; The discharge chute is inclined and its upper end is connected to the feeding system; The first hopper is connected and disposed at the lower end of the discharge trough; The second hopper is located on one side of the first hopper; A sorting box is located at the bottom of the discharge trough and is covered outside the discharge trough. An ultraviolet lamp and a visible camera are installed inside the sorting box. Fluorescent plastic and aged plastic are excited to emit visible light of a specific wavelength under the ultraviolet lamp. The spray valve assembly is located below the sorting box and opposite the lower end of the discharge chute. When the visible camera receives visible light of a specific wavelength, the spray valve assembly blows fluorescent plastic or aged plastic into the second hopper.

2. The plastic recycling sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sorting box includes a first chamber and a second chamber located on both sides of the discharge, and each of the first chamber and the second chamber is equipped with a plurality of ultraviolet lamps and a visible camera.

3. The plastic recycling sorting device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The discharge chute has a viewing point inside the sorting box, and both the ultraviolet lamp and the visible camera are aimed at the viewing point.

4. The plastic recycling sorting device according to claim 3, characterized in that, Four ultraviolet lamps are arranged at intervals around the viewing point in the first chamber.

5. The plastic recycling sorting device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second chamber contains four ultraviolet lamps spaced at intervals around the viewing point.

6. The plastic recycling sorting device according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the first chamber and the second chamber are equipped with background lights.

7. The plastic recycling sorting device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The sorting device also includes a controller, which is electrically connected to the visible camera and the spray valve assembly. The visible camera receives visible light signals and transmits the visible light signals to the controller. The controller is used to control the spray valve assembly to open when the visible light signal is in a specific wavelength band.

8. The plastic recycling sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The discharge trough is covered with a mounting cover, which is connected to the sorting box, and the lower end of the mounting cover is connected to both the first hopper and the second hopper.

9. The plastic recycling sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding system includes a vibrating hopper, which is used to evenly shake the plastic sheets to be sorted into the discharge trough.

10. A method for sorting and recycling plastics, characterized in that, The plastic recycling sorting device according to any one of claims 1-9 includes the following steps: The plastic sheets to be sorted are conveyed to the discharge trough through the feeding system and slide down the discharge trough under the action of gravity; The ultraviolet lamp irradiates the plastic sheet to be sorted through the sorting box and excites visible light of different wavelengths; When the visible camera receives a specific wavelength of visible light excited by fluorescent plastic or aged plastic, the spray valve assembly is activated to blow the fluorescent plastic or aged plastic into the second hopper. The remaining plastic sheets fall along the discharge chute into the first hopper.

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