Appliance waste disposal system

Abstract

The present invention provides a waste disposal device that can identify and remove household appliance waste containing rechargeable batteries from the transport route. [Solution] The system comprises a transport path for transporting household appliance waste by intermittent operation; a first imaging means for imaging the external shape of the household appliance waste with a camera or soft X-rays; a second imaging means for imaging the interior with hard X-rays; a first database for storing the external shape of household appliance waste containing rechargeable batteries as a reference case image; a second database for storing an X-ray image of a rechargeable battery as a reference battery image linked to the reference case image; a first image processing unit for comparing an identification case image extracted from an image captured by the first imaging means with the reference case image in the first database; a second image processing unit for comparing an identification battery image extracted from an X-ray image captured by the second imaging means with the reference battery image in the first database; and a removal means for removing the household appliance waste from the transport path when the comparison by the first image processing unit and the comparison by the second image processing unit both match.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a household waste treatment device that can select and remove household waste containing a rechargeable battery from household waste.

Background Art

[0002] Rechargeable batteries such as lithium-ion batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, and nickel-metal hydride batteries need to be removed from the collected household waste because they can catch fire and cause fires. In Patent Document 1, an X-ray device is used to detect single dry batteries mixed in plastic waste.

[0003] The small household waste treatment device of Patent Document 2 identifies small household waste from an X-ray image, also checks for a battery in the X-ray image, and if the battery appears, removes that household waste from the conveyor path, and if the battery does not appear, treats that household waste as having the battery removed and discharges it downstream of the conveyor path.

[0004] However, when the outer surface of household waste is made of a resin case, X-rays can penetrate the resin case, and the extracted identification case image may not be clear. If the outer shape of the identification case image is not clear, it is not possible to accurately determine whether it matches or does not match the reference case image by comparison. Also, when the outer surface of household waste is a metal plate such as stainless steel, the inside cannot be seen by X-rays, so the presence or absence of a battery cannot be confirmed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a waste treatment device that can identify and remove household appliance waste containing rechargeable batteries from the transport route. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The home appliance waste processing device according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a transport path for transporting home appliance waste by intermittent operation; a first imaging means for imaging the external shape of the home appliance waste with a camera or soft X-rays; a second imaging means arranged downstream of the first imaging means for imaging the inside of the home appliance waste with hard X-rays; a first database for storing the external shape of home appliance waste containing rechargeable batteries that are circulating in society as a reference case image; a second database for storing an X-ray image of a rechargeable battery contained in the home appliance waste as a reference battery image linked to the reference case image; a first image processing unit for comparing an identification case image extracted from an image captured by the first imaging means with a reference case image in the first database; a second image processing unit for comparing an identification battery image extracted from an X-ray image captured by the second imaging means with a reference battery image in the second database; and a removal means for removing the home appliance waste from the transport path when the comparison in the first image processing unit matches and the comparison in the second image processing unit matches.

[0008] When the comparison of the first image processing unit matches and the reference battery image is not associated with the reference case image, the removal means removes the household appliance waste from the transport path.

[0009] The second database stores information regarding the location of the rechargeable battery in relation to the reference battery image, and the second image processing unit is characterized in that it adds auxiliary information regarding the location of the rechargeable battery when comparing the reference battery images.

[0010] The removal means is characterized by being a robot having an arm that discharges household appliance waste in a direction intersecting the transport path. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, (A) a first imaging means is provided to image the outer shape of the home appliance waste with a camera or soft X-ray. When the home appliance waste is imaged with the camera, the outer case can be clearly imaged, making it easy to compare with a reference case image in the database and ensuring the identification of the home appliance waste. Even if the outside of the home appliance waste is covered with a thin plastic case, the case can be imaged, making it possible to compare with a reference case image in the database and ensuring the identification of the home appliance waste. (B) When the identification case image of the camera or soft X-ray device on the transport path matches the reference case image, and the identification battery image of the X-ray image matches the reference battery image, the removal device is activated to remove the home appliance waste, so that home appliance waste containing rechargeable batteries can be removed from the transport path. Home appliance waste from which the rechargeable battery has been removed can be discharged downstream as is.

[0012] If the comparison in the first image processing unit matches and the reference case image is not associated with the reference battery image, the appliance waste is removed from the transport path regardless of the comparison result between the identification battery image and the reference battery image. Therefore, even if the appliance waste contains a rechargeable battery that is not visible to X-rays, it can be considered to have a built-in rechargeable battery and removed from the transport path. For example, if the outer surface of the appliance waste is made of stainless steel, a reference battery image captured by X-rays cannot be prepared in the second database, so there is no association between the reference case image and the reference battery image. In this case, the appliance waste is considered to have a built-in rechargeable battery and is removed. An example of an appliance waste where association is not possible is when the inside of the appliance waste is visible to X-rays, but the rechargeable battery is not visible, for example, because it is hidden by a metal component.

[0013] Since the second database stores "auxiliary information" regarding the location of rechargeable batteries in combination with reference battery images, when extracting battery images for rechargeable battery identification from X-ray images, the auxiliary information indicates the location of the rechargeable battery within the device. Therefore, even if there is a circular motor of the same shape, it will not be mistaken for a circular rechargeable battery. The time required to extract rechargeable batteries can also be shortened.

[0014] Since the robot is equipped with an arm that discharges the removal means in a direction intersecting the conveyance path, it is not necessary to separate the conveyance paths as compared to the removal means of the sorting plate provided between the conveyance paths, and the conveyance path can be shortened.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] It is a configuration diagram of a household appliance waste processing device according to the present invention. (Example 1) [Figure 2] It is a configuration diagram of a household appliance waste processing device according to the present invention. (Example 2) [Figure 3] It is a time chart of the household appliance waste processing device of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a schematic diagram of a pretreatment device for supplying household appliance waste to a conveyance path. [Figure 5] It is a configuration diagram of a household appliance waste processing device according to the present invention. (Example 3) [Figure 6] It is a side view showing the relationship between the robot and the conveyance path in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] It is a time chart of the household appliance waste processing device in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] It is a time chart of the discharging operation by the robot. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart of the processing of the household appliance waste processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a block diagram of the database used in the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing an example of an identification case image. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing an example of an identification battery image. [Figure 13] It is an X-ray image of an electronic cigarette. [Figure 14] It is an X-ray image of a web conference speaker. [Figure 15] It is an X-ray image of a calculator. [Figure 16] It is an example of small household appliance waste with a built-in rechargeable battery.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Traditionally, in recycling, foreign objects in recycled materials were detected using metal detectors, magnetic separators, and color sorters. In recent years, batteries such as lithium batteries and button batteries have been mixed into the waste, making them difficult to remove with conventional sorting methods. Using X-rays makes it possible to separate batteries from such recycled materials. Batteries can be sorted by determining their shape using AI-based methods.

[0017] As shown in Figure 16, household appliance waste containing rechargeable batteries includes (A) smartphones, (B) corded mobile batteries, (C) portable lithium-ion batteries, (D) e-cigarettes, (E) game consoles, (F) electric toothbrushes, (G) electric shavers, (H) portable fans, and (I) web conferencing speakers. In addition to these, household appliance waste containing rechargeable batteries includes desktop vacuum cleaners, electric screwdrivers, hair clippers, wireless earphones, and rice cookers. Thus, the amount of household appliance waste containing rechargeable batteries is increasing. In the case of household appliance waste with cords, as shown in (B), it is preferable to remove the cord during pre-processing. This is because the cord can be reused as electrical wire rather than being shredded.

[0018] The present invention's appliance waste disposal device separates and removes appliance waste containing rechargeable batteries, which can cause fires, from appliance waste that does not contain rechargeable batteries. Rechargeable batteries include lithium-ion batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and the like.

[0019] Figure 1 is a diagram of the configuration of the home appliance waste processing device 100 according to the present invention (Example 1). The home appliance waste processing device 100 comprises transport paths 1 and 2 for transporting home appliance waste 10, a first imaging means 8 consisting of a camera 11, a second imaging means 9 consisting of an X-ray source 13 and a line sensor 14, a removal means 3, and a collection box 45. Transport path 1 is the upstream transport path, and transport path 2 is the downstream transport path. The removal means 3 is positioned between transport path 1 and transport path 2. The X-ray source 13 of the second imaging means 9 uses hard X-rays (13b) so that they can penetrate the inside of the home appliance waste 10. The line sensor 14 is provided between the upper and lower belts of transport path 1. The inside of the home appliance waste 10 is imaged by the X-rays from the second imaging means 9. When the removal means 3 determines that a rechargeable battery is built into the home appliance waste 10, it tilts the sorting plate 3a to remove the home appliance waste 10 into the collection box 45. According to this, household appliance waste 10 that does not contain a rechargeable battery is sent to the downstream transport path 2.

[0020] It is preferable that the household appliance waste 10 be supplied to the transport path 1 in a prone position at equal intervals. The device used for this purpose will be described later in Figure 4. By transporting the waste in a prone position, the images captured by the camera 11 and the X-ray line sensor 14 can be processed as a plan view. The transport path 1 is operated intermittently, transporting the household appliance waste 10 by repeatedly moving forward and stopping. It is preferable that the household appliance waste 10 be transported at equal intervals. Also, since it takes time to search for whether the household appliance waste matches the one in the database, it remains on the transport path until the search is complete.

[0021] If the household appliance waste 10 contains a rechargeable battery, the removal means 3 is activated and the household appliance waste 10 is collected in the collection box 45. The removal means 3 is activated by the control unit 7. Since household appliance waste 10 without a rechargeable battery is sent to the downstream transport path 2, there is no risk of fire and crushing is possible in subsequent processes.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the home appliance waste processing device 100 further includes a first image processing unit 5, a second image processing unit 6, and a database 4. Database 4 consists of a first database 21 that stores the external shape of home appliance waste using camera images, a second database 22 that stores the external shape of rechargeable batteries placed inside the home appliance waste using X-ray images, and a third database 23. The first database 21 stores camera images of the external shape of home appliance waste containing rechargeable batteries that are circulating in society as reference case images. The second database 22 stores X-ray images of the external shape of rechargeable batteries contained in home appliance waste that are circulating in society as reference battery images. The third database 23 consists of a learning unit, and by providing a learning unit, new data for comparison can be added to the database. This allows for accurate determination in response to new home appliance products containing rechargeable batteries circulating in society.

[0023] The first image processing unit 5 extracts identification case images 15 (e.g., 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, see Figure 11) that represent the outline of the household appliance waste from the camera image. In Figure 11, the identification case images 15 are drawn as shapes for convenience, but they are actually camera images. From these, the outline of the captured household appliance waste can be determined. The first image processing unit 5 compares the extracted identification case images 15 with reference case images A, D, B, C, etc. (see Figure 10) in the first database 21. Reference case images A, D, B, C, etc. are camera images of household appliance waste containing rechargeable batteries. If there is a reference case image in the first database 21 that matches the identification case image 15, the household appliance waste containing a rechargeable battery can be identified. This makes it possible to identify the household appliance product, such as a mobile phone, electric toothbrush, calculator, or speaker. In this case, by using the area and outline of the household appliance waste as feature points, the time required for comparison can be reduced, and the household appliance waste can be identified more easily.

[0024] The second image processing unit 6 extracts identification battery images 16 (e.g., 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e; see Figure 12) from the X-ray image. The identification battery images 16 are X-ray images of rechargeable batteries embedded in household waste. The identification battery images 16 (e.g., 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) are extracted from the X-ray image from the line sensor 14, specifically the portion of the image with X-ray transmittance below a predetermined threshold, and designated as the identification battery image. If the X-ray transmittance is below the predetermined threshold, it is considered to be a battery. Multiple identification battery images may be extracted from a single X-ray image, as shown in 16b and 16c. Even if there are multiple images, all extracted identification battery images are used for determination. The second image processing unit 6 compares the extracted identification battery images 16 with reference battery images A, D, B, C, ... in the second database 22. If they match, it is determined that the appliance waste contains a rechargeable battery.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the control unit 7 controls the driving of the removal means 3. The removal means 3 is driven when the first image processing unit 5 determines that the identification case image 15 matches the reference case image in the first database 21, and the second image processing unit 6 determines that the identification battery image 16 matches the reference battery image. The removal means 3 collects the household appliance waste 10 containing rechargeable batteries into the collection box 45 by tilting the sorting plate 3a. Household appliance waste 10 that does not meet these conditions, for example, if the rechargeable battery has been removed before disposal, will not be driven by the control unit 7, and will be moved to the downstream transport path 2 in the same way as household appliance waste that does not use batteries, and will be used for subsequent processing.

[0026] When the first image processing unit 5 determines that the identification case image 15 matches the reference case image in the first database 21, if the reference battery image in the second database 22 is not associated with the reference case image in the first database, specifically if internal X-ray observation of the household appliance waste is not possible, then the household appliance waste 10 is considered to have a rechargeable battery built in, and the removal means 3 is driven by the control unit 7 to collect it in the collection box 45.

[0027] Figure 2 is a diagram of the configuration of the home appliance waste processing device 200 of the present invention (Example 2). The differences from Example 1 in Figure 1 will be explained. Everything else is the same as in Figure 1, so the explanation will be omitted. In Example 2, the first imaging means 8 does not use a camera, but uses an X-ray source 13. The line sensor 14 acquires an image using soft X-rays 13a as the X-ray source 13 of the first imaging means 8. Soft X-rays have the advantage of being able to image the outer shape of home appliance waste that is covered with a thin plastic case without penetration. The image obtained by the first imaging means 8 is an X-ray image. Therefore, the reference case image in the first database 21 is stored as an X-ray image, not a camera image. The identification case image captured by the first imaging means 8 is compared with the reference case image in the first database 21. If the identification case image matches one of the reference case images registered in the first database 21, the home appliance waste can be identified.

[0028] Figure 3 is a time chart of the home appliance waste processing devices 100 and 200 according to the present invention. It is applied to Embodiment 1 in Figure 1 and Embodiment 2 in Figure 2. The first image processing unit 5 and the second image processing unit 6 are provided with separate processing processors and perform parallel processing. The transport path 1 is operated intermittently, and the home appliance waste 10 is transported at equal intervals in the transport direction, first M1, then M2, then M3, etc. Referring to the vicinity of the center of the time chart, M2 is captured by the first imaging means 8 and M1 is captured by the second imaging means 9. At this point, the transport path 1 enters a stopped state. The first image processing unit 5 extracts an identification case image from the captured image of M2, compares it with a reference case image in the database 21, and identifies whether it is home appliance waste containing a rechargeable battery. Meanwhile, in parallel with this, the second image processing unit 6 extracts an identification battery image from the captured image of M1 and compares it with a reference battery image in the database 22.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, M1 is considered to be household appliance waste containing a rechargeable battery. In this case, if the first image determination unit 5 determines that the identification case image 15 matches the reference case image in the first database 21, and the second determination unit 6 determines that the identification battery image 16 matches the reference battery image, the removal means 3 is driven via the control unit 7, the sorting plate 3a of the removal means 3 tilts, and the household appliance waste 10 is collected in the collection box 45.

[0030] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a pre-processing device 17 located upstream of the transport path 1, which supplies household appliance waste. The pre-processing device 17 consists of a vibrating feeder 18, a guide plate 19, and a shutter 20. The vibrating feeder 18 breaks up the input household appliance waste and sends it out in a scattered manner. The guide plate 19 narrows the household appliance waste into a single line. The shutter 20 consists of two shutter plates, which open and close alternately to send the household appliance waste 10 into the transport path 1 at equal intervals. For example, the interval of household appliance waste in the transport path 1 is set to the length between the first imaging means and the second imaging means.

[0031] Figure 5 is a configuration diagram (Example 3) of the home appliance waste processing device 300 according to the present invention. The home appliance waste processing device 300 has a robot 12 (Rb1) equipped with an imaging means 8 and a robot 12 (Rb2) equipped with a second imaging means 9 on one side of the transport path 1. These robots 12 are equipped with multiple arms 12, 12, and use the arms 12, 12 to discharge home appliance waste 10 on the transport path 2 into the collection box 45. Home appliance waste containing rechargeable batteries is discharged by robot 12 (Rb2) with a discharge rod 3b in a direction intersecting the transport path 1 and collected in the collection box 45. Since there is no removal means 3 between the transport paths 1 and 2 as shown in Examples 1 and 2, the transport path is simplified. The determination of home appliance waste is the same as in Examples 1 and 2, so the explanation is omitted.

[0032] In the home appliance waste processing device 300 shown in Figure 5, the transport path 1 is operated intermittently, and the home appliance waste on the transport path 1 is transported at equal intervals. When the transport path 1 changes from a moving state to a stopped state, for example, home appliance waste M1 stops in front of robot 12(Rb2), and the next home appliance waste M2 stops in front of robot 12(Rb1). When it changes from the next moving state to a stopped state, home appliance waste M2 stops in front of robot 12(Rb2), and home appliance waste M3 stops in front of robot 12(Rb1). The arms 12a, 12a of robot 12(Rb1) may be configured to allow robot 12(Rb1) to discharge home appliance waste that cannot be imaged by X-ray and that contains a rechargeable battery.

[0033] Figure 6 is a side view showing the relationship between the robot 12 and the transport path 1 in Figure 5. The left and right arms 12a, 12a of the robot 12 consist of a rotatable upper arm, forearm, and gripping section. The dispensing rod 3b is grasped by the gripping section, so that the household appliance waste 10 on the transport path 1 can be dispensed into the collection box 45. The camera 11 protrudes from the head of the robot 12, shifted upstream, and is installed directly above the transport path 1. In this embodiment, the household appliance waste 10 stops in front of the robot 12, and imaging is completed at that point. In this embodiment, an X-ray source 13a that emits soft X-rays can be used instead of the camera 11. In this case, the run sensor corresponding to the X-ray source 13a is provided on the transport path 1 side.

[0034] Figure 7 is a time chart of the home appliance waste disposal device 300 shown in Figure 5. The first image processing unit 5 and the second image processing unit 6 are equipped with separate processing processors and perform parallel processing. The transport path 1 operates intermittently, and the household waste 10 is transported at equal intervals in the order of M1, then M2, then M3, etc., in the transport direction. Referring to the middle of the time chart, when M2 is captured by the first imaging means 8 and M1 is captured by the second imaging means 9, the transport path 1 comes to a stop. The first image processing unit 5 extracts an identification case image from the captured image of M2, compares it with a reference case image in the database 21, and identifies the household waste containing a rechargeable battery. Meanwhile, in parallel, the second image processing unit 6 extracts an identification battery image from the captured image of M1 and compares it with a reference battery image in the database 22.

[0035] Figure 8 is a time chart of the dispensing operation by robot 12 (Rb2). As shown in Figure 8, M1 is household appliance waste containing a rechargeable battery. In this case, when the first image processing unit 5 determines that the identification case image 15 matches the reference case image in the first database 21, and the second image processing unit 6 determines that the identification battery image 16 matches the reference battery image, the arms 12a, 12a corresponding to the removal means 3 are driven via the control unit 7, and the household appliance waste 10 is dispensed into the collection box 45 by the dispensing rod 3b. While robot 12 (Rb2) is performing the dispensing operation, the transport path 1 is stopped for a longer period than usual, and when dispensing is completed, the transport path 1 resumes moving.

[0036] Figure 9 is a flowchart of the processing of the home appliance waste processing devices 100, 200, and 300 according to the present invention. Home appliance waste 10 in the transport path 1 is imaged by the first imaging means 8 (S1). The first image processing unit 5 extracts an identification case image 15 from the image captured (S2). Subsequently, the first image processing unit 5 compares the identification case image 15 with a reference case image stored in the first database 21 (S3). If the comparison in S3 shows a mismatch between the identification case image 15 and the reference case image in the first database 21, it is determined that the home appliance waste does not contain a rechargeable battery (S10), and the control unit 7 deactivates the removal means 3 (S13). As a result, the home appliance waste is not removed and moves downstream for the next processing. Examples of such home appliance waste include portable memory devices and AC / DC conversion adapters.

[0037] If the comparison in S3 shows that the identification case image 15 matches the reference case image in the first database 21, the process proceeds to S4, where it is determined whether a reference battery image is associated with it. If a reference battery image is not associated, it is assumed that there is a rechargeable battery inside the appliance waste (S11). Since the identification case image 15 matches the reference case image in the first database 21, it is assumed that the appliance waste contains a rechargeable battery. In this case, the process proceeds to S14, the removal means 3 is activated, and the appliance waste 10 is collected in the collection box 45. The control unit 7 gives instructions to the removal means 3. An example of such a case is when the outside of the appliance waste is made of stainless steel and the inside of the appliance waste cannot be seen even when imaged with an X-ray device. The reference battery image is not associated with the reference case image, and a reference battery image is not prepared in the database.

[0038] If a reference battery image is associated, the process proceeds to S5. In S5, the second imaging means 9 takes an image to obtain an X-ray image of the household waste. The second image processing unit 6 then extracts the identification battery image 16 from the X-ray image (S6).

[0039] In S6, the second image processing unit 6 compares the identification battery image 16 with the reference battery image stored in the second database 22 to determine whether or not a battery is present (S7). If the comparison in S7 shows no match between the identification battery image 16 and the reference battery image, it is determined that the rechargeable battery has been removed (S12), and the removal means 3 is deactivated (S13). The household appliance waste is then moved downstream and subjected to the next processing. If the comparison in S7 shows a match, it is determined that the household appliance waste contains a rechargeable battery (S8), and the control unit 7 activates the removal means 3 to collect the household appliance waste into the collection box 45 (S9).

[0040] Figure 10 is a block diagram of the database 4 used in the present invention. The first database 21 stores multiple reference case images A, D, B, C, ... of camera images or X-ray images. The second database 22 stores multiple reference battery images A, D, B, C, ... of X-ray images, linked to the reference case images in the first database 21. Linking them makes it easy to retrieve the corresponding reference battery image (for example, reference battery image D) for a given reference case image (for example, reference case image D). For example, if the entire case of household appliance waste is made of metal plates, a reference case image can be created in advance, but since X-rays do not penetrate it, a reference battery image cannot be created using X-rays. The first database 21 can store, for example, reference case image M, but the second database 22 does not store a reference battery image linked to reference case image M. This "unlinked" case is shown as reference case image M.

[0041] The learning unit 23 shown in Figure 10 links a reference case image (camera image or X-ray image) of a newly circulated household appliance waste with a reference battery image (X-ray image) of the battery in that household appliance waste. The learning unit 23 and the third database 23 also store the new reference case image and reference battery image. The added reference case image and reference battery image can be used as new data when determining household appliance waste. This enables the device to be equipped with AI functionality and to accurately determine household appliance waste containing rechargeable batteries that are circulating in response to changes in society.

[0042] Figure 11 shows examples of identification case images 15. It shows identification case images 15a for a mobile phone, 15b for an electric toothbrush, 15c for a calculator, and 15c for a speaker. The identification case images 15 are extracted from images (a collection of pixels) captured by the imaging means 8, but here they are represented as shapes (lines).

[0043] Figure 12 shows an example of an identification battery image 16. The identification battery image 16 is an X-ray image of a rechargeable battery embedded in household waste, and specifically takes the form shown in 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e. The identification battery image 16 is defined as the portion of the X-ray image from the line sensor 14 where the X-ray transmittance is below a predetermined threshold. If the X-ray transmittance is below the predetermined threshold, it is considered to be a battery. Multiple identification battery images may be extracted from a single X-ray image, as shown in 16b and 16c. Even if there are multiple, all extracted identification battery images are identified.

[0044] In this invention, when creating a second database 22 of rechargeable batteries, not only the shape and size of the rechargeable batteries are stored, but also the location of the rechargeable batteries within the case is stored as auxiliary information 50. That is, as shown in Figure 10, for each of the reference battery images A, D, B, C, ... in the second database 22, auxiliary information 50 (auxiliary information A, D, B, C, ...) indicating the location of the rechargeable battery within the reference case images A, D, B, C, ... is stored in association with each of the reference battery images A, D, B, C, .... By adding such auxiliary information 50 (auxiliary information A, D, B, C, ...) of the rechargeable battery's location to the judgment of the rechargeable battery image, it is possible to make a judgment that takes into account not only the image but also the location of the rechargeable battery. With this, circular images such as motors can easily be mistaken for rechargeable batteries, but since the location of the rechargeable battery within the case can be determined from the auxiliary information, the presence or absence of a rechargeable battery can be determined more accurately.

[0045] Figure 13 shows an X-ray image of the e-cigarette 25. When an X-ray image is captured by the second imaging means 9, an identification battery image 25a, shown by a dotted line (displayed for convenience), can be extracted. On the other hand, the appearance of the e-cigarette 25 is, for example, as shown in the drawer circle, an appearance 25' (camera image or X-ray image), which is stored in the first database 21 as a reference case image in advance. The identification case image captured by the first imaging means 8 is compared with the reference case image in the first database to identify which e-cigarette it is. The identification battery image 25a is compared with the reference battery image 25a' which is linked and stored in the second database 22. This comparison allows confirmation of the presence or absence of a battery. Note that if the outer frame of the e-cigarette 25 is metal, the X-rays from the second imaging means 9 will not penetrate. In such cases, the reference battery image is not linked to the reference case image 25'. In that case, since it is known to be an e-cigarette 25, it is determined that a rechargeable battery is built in. In other words, the e-cigarette is considered to have a built-in rechargeable battery and is removed by removal means 3.

[0046] Figure 14 shows an X-ray image of the web conferencing speaker 30. When the X-ray image is captured by the second imaging means 9, an identification battery image 30a, shown by a dotted line (displayed for convenience), can be extracted. On the other hand, the reference case image of the web conferencing speaker 30 has an appearance 30' as shown in the drawer circle, and many reference case images of similar models are stored in the first database 21. This is compared with the identification case image captured by the first imaging means 8 to identify the web conferencing speaker in circulation. The identification battery image 30a extracted from the web conferencing speaker 30 captured by the second imaging means 9 is compared with the reference battery image 30a' stored in the second database 22, which is linked to it. This comparison allows confirmation of the presence or absence of a battery.

[0047] Figure 15 is an X-ray image of the calculator 40. When the X-ray image is captured by the second imaging means 9, an identification battery image 40a, shown by a dotted line (displayed for convenience), can be extracted. On the other hand, the reference case image of the calculator 40 has an appearance 40' where the buttons and liquid crystal display are visible, and the first database 21 stores many images of similar models. This is compared with the identification reference image captured by the first imaging means 8 to identify the calculator 40. The identification battery image 40a built into the identified calculator 40 is compared with the reference battery image 40a' stored in the second database 22, which is linked to it. This comparison allows confirmation of the presence or absence of a battery. Note that reference numeral 41 denotes the power generation cell, reference numeral 42 denotes the display unit, and reference numeral 43 denotes the circuit board. The calculator 40 generates power with the power generation cell 41 and charges the rechargeable battery located at the position indicated by 40a. [Industrial applicability]

[0048] The present invention is suitable as a home appliance waste processing device that can remove home appliance waste containing rechargeable batteries from collected home appliance waste. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1. Conveyor path (upstream) 2. Conveyor path (downstream) 3 Removal means 3a Distribution board 3b Dispensing rod 4 Databases 5. First Image Processing Unit 6. Second Image Processing Unit 7 Control Unit 8. First imaging means 9. Second imaging means 10. Home appliance waste 11 Cameras 12 Robots 12a Arm 13 X-ray source 13a Soft X-ray 13b Hard X-ray 14 line sensors 15. Identification case image 15a Example of a case image for identifying a mobile phone Example of a case image for identifying an electric toothbrush Example of a case image for identifying a calculator Example of a case image for identifying a speaker 16 Identification battery image Example of a rectangular identification battery image Examples of small rectangular identification battery images Example of a small round identification battery image Example of a large round identification battery image 17 Pretreatment device 18 Vibration feeder 19 Guide plate 20 Shutter 21 First database 22 Second database 23 Learning section 25 X-ray image of an e-cigarette 25’ Reference case image 25a Identification battery image 25a’ Reference battery image 30 X-ray image of a web conference speaker 30’ Reference case image 30a Identification battery image 30a’ Reference battery image 40 X-ray image of a calculator 40’ Reference case image 40a Identification battery image 40a’ Reference battery image 41 Power generation cell 42 Display section 43 Substrate 45 Recycling bin 50 Auxiliary information 100, 200, 300 Household appliance waste treatment device

Claims

1. A transport path that transports household appliance waste through intermittent operation, A first imaging means for imaging the external shape of the aforementioned household appliance waste with a camera or soft X-ray, A second imaging means is positioned downstream of the first imaging means and images the inside of the household appliance waste with hard X-rays, A first database stores the external shape of household appliance waste containing rechargeable batteries that is circulating in society as a reference case image, A second database stores an X-ray image of a rechargeable battery embedded in the aforementioned household appliance waste as a reference battery image linked to the reference case image, A first image processing unit compares an identification case image extracted from an image captured by the first imaging means with a reference case image in the first database. A second image processing unit compares an identification battery image extracted from an X-ray image captured by the second imaging means with a reference battery image in the second database. When the comparison of the first image processing unit matches and the comparison of the second image processing unit matches, a removal means removes the household appliance waste from the transport path. A home appliance waste disposal device characterized by being equipped with [a specific feature].

2. The appliance waste processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that when the comparison of the first image processing unit matches and the reference battery image is not associated with the reference case image, the removal means removes the appliance waste from the transport path.

3. The home appliance waste processing device according to claim 1, wherein the second database stores information regarding the location of the rechargeable battery in relation to a reference battery image, and the second image processing unit adds auxiliary information regarding the location of the rechargeable battery when comparing the reference battery images.

4. The appliance waste processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the removal means is a robot having an arm that discharges appliance waste in a direction intersecting the transport path.

Images