Disassembly procedure manual creation device, disassembly procedure manual creation method, and disassembly procedure manual creation system

Abstract

Create disassembly instructions tailored to the disassembly purpose of the product disassembler. [Solution] The disassembly procedure creation device comprises: a UI control unit that receives information from a product disassembler specifying the target product to be disassembled; a target product search unit that identifies the target product by referring to a product DB that manages product data relating to products that may be subject to disassembly and obtains the product data corresponding to the identified target product from the product DB; a disassembly procedure determination unit that determines the procedure for disassembling the target product by calculating a disassembly path, which is a movement path that does not interfere with other parts, for each part based on the CAD data of the target product and the attribute data of the parts that constitute the target product included in the product data; and a disassembly procedure creation unit that creates a disassembly procedure document based on the determined disassembly procedure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a disassembly procedure manual creation device, a disassembly procedure manual creation method, and a disassembly procedure manual creation system.

Background Art

[0002] In the field of product manufacturing, the importance of environmental consideration has been increasing. In particular, enabling the reuse of units and parts constituting a product, the reuse of materials, and inspections, repairs, and cleaning for extending the product life are important indicators of environmental consideration.

[0003] On the other hand, the disassembly procedures for reusing parts and components of a product and for cleaning and inspection vary depending on the purpose of disassembly. For example, a user may remove interior parts for cleaning inside a refrigerator, or a maintenance service technician may replace an electronic circuit board or a unit (such as a motor, compressor, camera, etc.), or a recycler may separate parts into plastics, metals, hazardous substances, etc.

[0004] In addition, depending on whether a recycler has an automatic sorting machine or a non-ferrous metal sorting machine for separating plastics and metals, the disassembly procedure may differ, and a unit may be subcontracted to another company, making it diverse.

[0005] Under such circumstances, it is not realistic for a product manufacturer to create a disassembly procedure manual corresponding to all disassembly purposes and provide it along with the sale of the product. Also, it is not easy for maintenance service providers or recyclers who have to handle multiple different products to find the disassembly procedure manual issued by the product manufacturer.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a method to automatically create disassembly procedures for products. For example, Patent Document 1 describes "an automatic procedure manual creation support device characterized by comprising: a database in which work elements of assembly procedures and work elements of disassembly procedures for electronic equipment are stored in association with each other; creation support means that assists in creating assembly procedures or disassembly procedures by referring to work elements of assembly procedures or work elements of disassembly procedures; and procedure conversion means that, if an assembly procedure has been created, converts the assembly procedure based on the database to generate a disassembly procedure, and if a disassembly procedure has been created, converts the disassembly procedure based on the database to generate an assembly procedure." [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-7740 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, an assembly procedure manual or a disassembly procedure manual can be automatically generated based on one of them. However, in order to generate a disassembly procedure manual, an assembly procedure manual must be prepared in advance, and if an assembly procedure manual cannot be prepared, a disassembly procedure manual cannot be generated.

[0009] This invention has been made in view of the above points, and aims to enable the automatic generation of disassembly procedure manuals according to the disassembly purpose of product disassemblers, such as product users, maintenance service providers, and recycling companies. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] This application includes several means to solve at least some of the above problems, and some examples are as follows.

[0011] To solve the above problems, a disassembly procedure creation device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a UI control unit that receives information from a product disassembler specifying a target product to be disassembled; a target product search unit that identifies the target product by referring to a product DB (database) that manages product data relating to products that may be subject to disassembly, and obtains product data corresponding to the identified target product from the product DB; a disassembly procedure determination unit that determines a procedure for disassembling the target product based on the CAD data of the target product and attribute data of the parts constituting the target product included in the product data; and a disassembly procedure creation unit that creates a disassembly procedure manual based on the determined disassembly procedure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, for example, disassembly procedure manuals can be automatically generated according to the disassembly purpose of product disassemblers such as product users, maintenance service providers, and recycling companies.

[0013] Other issues, configurations, and effects not mentioned above will be clarified by the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of a disassembly procedure manual creation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of part attribute data. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of a UI (User Interface) screen display. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the product database registration process using a disassembly procedure manual creation device. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the disassembly procedure creation process using the disassembly procedure creation device of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of the configuration of a disassembly procedure manual creation system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a disassembly procedure manual creation process by the disassembly procedure manual creation device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a product to be disassembled. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a disassembly procedure manual. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a disassembly procedure manual. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a disassembly procedure manual.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Each embodiment is an exemplification for explaining the present invention, and for the sake of clarity of explanation, appropriate omissions and simplifications have been made. The present invention can also be implemented in various other forms. Unless otherwise particularly limited, each component may be singular or plural. In the drawings, the positions, sizes, shapes, ranges, etc. of each component shown may not represent the actual positions, sizes, shapes, ranges, etc. in order to facilitate understanding of the invention. In all the drawings for explaining the embodiments, the same members are generally denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations thereof are omitted. Further, in the following embodiments, the components (including element steps, etc.) are not necessarily essential unless otherwise particularly specified or considered to be clearly essential in principle. Also, when it is said that "consisting of A", "comprising A", "having A", "including A", unless otherwise particularly specified to mean only that element, other elements are not excluded. Similarly, in the following embodiments, when referring to the shapes, positional relationships, etc. of components, etc., unless otherwise particularly specified or considered to be clearly not so in principle, those substantially approximating or similar to the shapes, etc. are included. Also, "acquisition" shall include at least, as specific examples thereof, the subject generating, calculating, or receiving from the outside.

[0016] <Configuration Example of the Disassembly Procedure Manual Creation System 10 According to the First Embodiment of the Present Invention> FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a disassembly procedure manual creation system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The disassembly procedure manual creation system 10 includes a manufacturer device 100, a disassembly procedure manual creation device 200, and a terminal device 300.

[0017] The manufacturer device 100 is provided by each manufacturer that manufactures products. The manufacturer device 100 is composed of, for example, a general computer such as a server computer. The manufacturer device 100 supplies product CAD (Computer Aided Design) data D1 related to products that can be disassembled after shipment and operation, and component attribute data D2 representing the attributes of components and units (hereinafter collectively referred to as components) that make up the product, to the disassembly procedure manual creation device 200 via the network N. The network N is, for example, the Internet.

[0018] In the product CAD data D1, the shape of the product and the shape data of each component that makes up the product are recorded in association with the product model number. There are, for example, B-Reps representation, CSG representation, and space lattice model representation for the shape data, but the representation method is arbitrary. The B-Reps representation and the CSG representation are representation methods of shape data adopted by many CAD systems. The space lattice model representation is a representation method of shape data obtained as a result of laser shape measurement or X-ray CT shape measurement. Also, in the product CAD data D1, the part numbers of the components that make up the product are recorded.

[0019] Note that product information useful for product search may be recorded in the product CAD data D1 in association with the product model number. For example, the JAN (Japanese Article Number) code, image (photo), etc. of the product may be recorded. Note that the product CAD data D1 may contain confidential information that the manufacturer of the product regards as company secrets. Therefore, the product DB registration unit 211 may be provided with a function of deleting unnecessary information and information to be kept confidential that are not related to the shape data and attributes of the product from the product CAD data D1 and registering it in the product DB 221.

[0020] The part attribute data D2 records attribute data for each part, associated with the product model number and the part numbers of the components that make up the product. The attribute data includes material name and material composition information. Furthermore, the attribute data may also include, for example, an image (photo) of the part, hazardous substance information (information indicating whether or not hazardous substances are present), disassembly feasibility information (information indicating whether or not it can be disassembled into smaller parts), replacement feasibility information (for example, whether part A can be replaced with a new part A, or whether part A can be substituted with part B), and the skills and tools required for disassembly and replacement. In addition, the part attribute data D2 may be included in the product CAD data D1. Some CAD systems allow the inclusion of attribute and annotation information as 3DA (3D Annotated Model) or MBD (Model Based Definition), so this information may also be included in the product CAD data D1.

[0021] Figure 2 shows an example of part attribute data D2, corresponding to product P (Figure 8). In this example, product P with model number ABC-1234 consists of a lid P1, screws P21-P24, an electronic circuit board P3, etc., and it is recorded that the material of the lid P1 is resin (ABS) and the material of the screws P21-P24 is aluminum alloy.

[0022] The disassembly procedure manual creation device 200 is implemented using a general-purpose computer, such as a personal computer or a server computer. This computer includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), storage such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, and media drive, output devices such as a display, and communication modules such as an Ethernet® card or Wi-Fi® adapter.

[0023] The disassembly procedure manual creation device 200 may be implemented using one physical or logical computer, or using two or more physical or logical computers. The two or more physical or logical computers may be distributed across a network N.

[0024] The disassembly procedure manual creation device 200 has functional blocks consisting of a processing unit 210, a storage unit 220, and a communication unit 230.

[0025] The processing unit 210 is implemented by the computer's processor. The processing unit 210 controls the entire disassembly procedure manual creation device 200. The processing unit 210 implements the following functional blocks by executing a program (not shown) stored in the storage unit 220: the product database registration unit 211, the UI control unit 212, the target product search unit 213, the disassembly procedure determination unit 214, and the disassembly procedure manual creation unit 215.

[0026] The product database registration unit 211 acquires product CAD data D1 and part attribute data D2 from the manufacturer's device 100 via the network N, and registers them as product data in the product database 221 of the storage unit 220.

[0027] The UI control unit 212 displays the UI screen 2000 (Figure 3) on the terminal device 300 connected via the network N, and accepts various inputs from the user of the terminal device 300 to the UI screen 2000. The UI control unit 212 also displays the disassembly procedure manual created by the disassembly procedure manual creation unit 215 on the UI screen 2000. The terminal device 300 is intended for a product disassembler, and is configured to allow input of, for example, the model number and product image of the product to be disassembled (hereinafter referred to as the target product) (details will be described later).

[0028] The target product search unit 213 refers to the product database 221 based on the model number and product image of the target product entered on the UI screen 2000, identifies the target product, and retrieves product CAD data D1 and part attribute data D2 related to the identified target product from the product database 221.

[0029] The disassembly procedure determination unit 214 determines the disassembly procedure for the target product based on the product CAD data D1 and component attribute data D2 related to the target product.

[0030] Specifically, the disassembly procedure determination unit 214 recognizes the joints between parts using fasteners such as screws, bolts, and rivets, as well as the joints between parts using non-fasteners such as snap-fits, adhesives, and welds. In this recognition process, the joined parts are also recognized. As a method for recognizing these joints, for example, an existing similar shape search technique, such as the partial similar shape search technique (Reference: Makoto Onodera, et al., Development of an analysis model reuse type automatic mesh generation technique using similar partial shape search, Transactions of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, Vol. 83, No. 853, DOI: 10.1299 / transjsme.17-00073), can be used. In this similar shape search technique, the similarity is calculated using the surface area, perimeter, surface type, curvature, and principal direction length as geometric features, and the connection relationship of the surfaces as a topological feature. By pre-preparing the shapes of screws, bolts, and snap-fits, similar shapes can be recognized as joints. Alternatively, the target shape may be represented using a voxel structure, blocks may be defined using several adjacent voxels, and a spectral calculation may be performed for each block to calculate similarity. These methods are used to recognize the junctions.

[0031] Next, the disassembly procedure determination unit 214 calculates a disassembly path, which is a movement path for separating each component of the product without interfering with other components. For components for which a movement path (disassembly path) cannot be calculated, the disassembly procedure determination unit 214 determines that the component cannot be disassembled at that time, calculates the disassembly paths for other components, and then calculates the disassembly path again. This process is repeated to calculate the disassembly path for each component. In addition, evaluation formulas for ease of disassembly may be introduced into these disassembly paths to optimize them for ease of disassembly. Here, ease of disassembly evaluates the length (shortness) of the disassembly path, the volume of space around the disassembly path (a larger volume reduces the risk of contact with other components and provides sufficient space for hands and tools), and the presence or absence of necessary tools (snap-fit ​​parts do not require tools, screws and bolts require tools such as screwdrivers, bonded parts require heat, welded parts require cutting tools, etc.). In addition, it is desirable to register information indicating that components require special tools or disassembly procedures in component attribute data D2.

[0032] Furthermore, the disassembly procedure determination unit 214 refers to the disassembly feasibility information in the component attribute data D2 and does not create a disassembly procedure for components that cannot be disassembled. For example, if the disassembly feasibility information for a motor as a component indicates that it cannot be disassembled, the motor is composed of components such as magnets, coils, and stators, but disassembly is limited to the motor unit and not to the magnets, coils, stators, etc. Alternatively, the disassembly feasibility information may include information that disassembly is only permitted for product disassemblers with special skills. In this case, the disassembly path for the motor as a component is calculated, but the disassembly paths for the magnets, coils, stators, etc. are not calculated. Similarly, the disassembly procedure determination unit 214 refers to the hazardous / toxic substance information in the component attribute data D2 and does not calculate a disassembly path for components that contain hazardous or toxic substances.

[0033] The disassembly procedure creation unit 215 creates a disassembly procedure, for example, as a video (animation), based on the recognized joint locations and the calculated disassembly path of the parts. The disassembly procedure may also consist of multiple still images. The created disassembly procedure is displayed on the UI screen 2000.

[0034] The memory unit 220 is implemented using the computer's memory and storage. The memory unit 220 stores programs, various databases, and the like.

[0035] The communication unit 230 is implemented by the computer's communication module. The communication unit 230 connects to the manufacturer's device 100 and terminal device 300 via the network N and communicates various data, information, etc.

[0036] The terminal device 300 is used by disassemblers (hereinafter collectively referred to as "product disassemblers") who disassemble the product for their respective disassembly purposes, such as product users, maintenance service personnel, and recycling companies. The terminal device 300 consists of a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer, tablet computer, or smartphone. The terminal device 300 connects to the disassembly procedure manual creation device 200 via the network N by running a general-purpose browser or a dedicated application program, and displays the UI screen 2000 according to the control from the UI control unit 212.

[0037] Figure 3 shows an example of the UI screen 2000. The UI screen 2000 includes an input field 2001 for the product disassembler to enter the model number of the product to be disassembled, an input field 2002 for the product disassembler to enter an image (photo) of the product, and a display field 2003 for displaying the created disassembly procedure manual.

[0038] <Product Database Registration Process> Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the product database registration process.

[0039] The product database registration process is performed periodically at predetermined intervals, such as once every six months.

[0040] First, the product database registration unit 211 connects to the manufacturer's device 100 via the communication unit 230 and network N, and acquires product CAD data D1 and part attribute data D2 for products that have been put on sale or whose specifications have been changed between the previous execution timing of the product database registration process and the current execution timing (step S1). Next, the product database registration unit 211 registers the acquired product CAD data D1 and part attribute data D2 in the product database 221 (step S2). This concludes the explanation of the product database registration process.

[0041] <Disassembly procedure creation process by the disassembly procedure creation device 200 of the first embodiment> Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the disassembly procedure manual creation process using the disassembly procedure manual creation device 200 of the first embodiment.

[0042] The disassembly procedure creation process is initiated, for example, in response to a predetermined operation from a product disassembler who accesses the disassembly procedure creation device 200 using a terminal device 300.

[0043] First, the UI control unit 212 displays the UI screen 2000 (Figure 3) on the terminal device 300 and receives information to identify the target product (at least one of the product model number and product image) entered by the product disassembler into the input fields 2001 and 2002 of the UI screen 2000 (step S11).

[0044] Next, the target product search unit 213 identifies the target product by referring to the product database 221 based on at least one of the model number and product image of the target product entered in the UI screen 2000 (step S12). Next, the target product search unit 213 obtains product CAD data D1 and part attribute data D2 related to the identified target product from the product database 221 (step S13).

[0045] Next, the disassembly procedure determination unit 214 recognizes the joints between parts in the target product, and also recognizes the parts that are joined together (step S14). Next, the disassembly procedure determination unit 214 calculates a disassembly path for each part of the target product (step S15).

[0046] Next, the disassembly procedure creation unit 215 creates a disassembly procedure based on the joint locations recognized by the disassembly procedure determination unit 214 and the calculated disassembly paths for the parts (step S16). Next, the UI control unit 212 presents the disassembly procedure created by the disassembly procedure creation unit 215 to the product disassembler by displaying it in the display field 2003 of the UI screen 2000 displayed on the terminal device 300 (step S17). The above is a description of the disassembly procedure creation process in the first embodiment.

[0047] According to this embodiment, a product disassembler can obtain a disassembly procedure manual for the product by inputting at least one of the model number of the product and an image (photograph) of the product.

[0048] <Example configuration of the disassembly procedure manual creation system 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention> Figure 6 shows an example of the configuration of a disassembly procedure manual creation system 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The disassembly procedure manual creation system 20 adds a user account registration unit 216, a target part specification unit 217, a disassembly procedure manual search unit 218, and an access aggregation unit 219 to the processing unit 210 of the disassembly procedure manual creation device 200 in the disassembly procedure manual creation system 10 (Figure 1), and adds a user account DB 222 and a disassembly procedure manual DB 223 to the storage unit 220.

[0049] Among the components of the disassembly procedure manual creation system 20, those that are common with the components of the disassembly procedure manual creation system 10 (Figure 1) are given the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0050] The user account registration unit 216 registers the account information of a product disassembler, who is a user of the disassembly procedure creation system 20, into the user account DB 222, which is entered by the product disassembler using the terminal device 300 and received by the UI control unit 212. The user's account information is associated with the product disassembler's identification information and includes, for example, the type of product disassembler, the qualifications held by the product disassembler, the mixed materials that the product disassembler can handle if they are a recycling company, and the acceptable ratio of different materials.

[0051] The type of product disassembler indicates whether they are a product user, a maintenance service worker, a recycler, etc. Alternatively, the product manufacturer may be registered as the type of product disassembler. In this case, the manufacturer may use this information to quantitatively evaluate disassembly ease during the design phase, or to plan and design the product lifecycle to achieve a circular economy. Qualifications held by the product disassembler may include, for example, a hazardous materials handler license or an electrician's license.

[0052] For example, if the product dismantler is a recycler and has a sorting machine for plastics and metals, they can specify plastics and metals as the materials to be mixed. Similarly, if they have a sorting machine for non-ferrous metals, they can specify ferrous metals and aluminum alloys as the materials to be mixed. In this case, the dismantling procedure creation unit 215 creates a dismantling procedure so that the plastics and metals, and the ferrous metals and aluminum alloys, can be removed as a single unit without being dismantled.

[0053] Furthermore, for example, if the product disassembler has an electrician's license, the target component designation section 217 (described later) can designate as a target component any component (including units) for which an electrician's license is specified as the disassembly qualification (technical skill) in the component attribute data D2. In other words, if the product disassembler does not have an electrician's license, the target component designation section 217 (described later) cannot designate such component as a target component.

[0054] Furthermore, for example, if the attribute information of the product disassembler is registered as having an acceptable dissimilar material ratio of 10% between copper and resin, the disassembly procedure creation unit 215 will create a disassembly procedure so that, for example, a wire in which copper wire is covered with resin can be removed as a single unit without being disassembled into copper and resin. If the acceptable dissimilar material ratio is registered as 0%, the disassembly procedure creation unit 215 will create a disassembly procedure so that the wire can be disassembled into copper wire and resin covering.

[0055] The target part designation unit 217 specifies the parts to be removed from the target product (target parts) according to the input from the product user. In this case, the UI screen 2000 shall be provided with input fields for entering information to identify the target parts (part number, part image (photo), etc.). In other words, users and maintenance personnel who disassemble products rarely disassemble the entire product, and the purpose of disassembly is often to remove specific parts. For example, if the target product is a stick-type vacuum cleaner, the purpose of disassembly is often to remove and dispose of the battery or remove and replace the filter. In such cases, the target part designation unit 217 will specify the battery or filter as the target parts. Upon receiving this designation, the disassembly procedure creation unit 215 will create a disassembly procedure manual up to the point of removing the target parts.

[0056] The disassembly procedure search unit 218 searches for disassembly procedures that have been previously created by the disassembly procedure creation unit 215 and registered in the disassembly procedure database 223 (described later). By providing the disassembly procedure search unit 218 and the disassembly procedure database 223, it becomes unnecessary to generate disassembly procedures again for target products and parts for which disassembly procedures have already been created, thereby reducing the computational cost of the disassembly procedure creation device 200.

[0057] The access aggregation unit 219 aggregates the number of times and frequency that disassembly instructions have been created for each product and part registered in the product database 221, and registers the aggregated results in the product database 221. These aggregated results are expected to be used to improve future products, such as designing structures that are easier to disassemble for products and parts that have had many disassembly instructions created or frequently.

[0058] The user account DB222 manages the account information of product disassemblers registered by the user account registration unit 216.

[0059] The disassembly procedure database DB223 manages the disassembly procedure documents created by the disassembly procedure creation unit 215. The disassembly procedure documents managed in the disassembly procedure database DB223 may be made public, for example, via network N. In that case, access information for accessing the disassembly procedure documents (such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or a QR code (trademark)) may be printed in the product's instruction manual, or printed labels may be affixed to the product before shipment.

[0060] <Disassembly procedure creation process by the disassembly procedure creation device 200 of the second embodiment> Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the disassembly procedure manual creation process using the disassembly procedure manual creation device 200 of the second embodiment.

[0061] The disassembly procedure creation process is initiated, for example, in response to a predetermined operation from a product disassembler who accesses the disassembly procedure creation device 200 using a terminal device 300.

[0062] First, the UI control unit 212 displays the UI screen 2000 (Figure 3) on the terminal device 300 and receives information to identify the target product and information to identify the target parts entered by the product disassembler (step S21).

[0063] Next, the target product search unit 213 identifies the target product by referring to the product database 221 based on the information for identifying the target product entered in the UI screen 2000. Also, the target part designation unit 217 identifies the target part by referring to the product database 221 based on the information for identifying the target part entered in the UI screen 2000 (step S22).

[0064] Next, the disassembly procedure search unit 218 refers to the disassembly procedure DB 223 and determines whether or not a disassembly procedure corresponding to the target product and target parts identified in step S22 is registered in the disassembly procedure DB 223 (step S23). If it is determined that the disassembly procedure is not registered in the disassembly procedure DB 223 (NO in step S23), then the target product search unit 213 obtains product CAD data D1 and part attribute data D2 related to the identified target product from the product DB 221 (step S24).

[0065] Next, the disassembly procedure determination unit 214 recognizes the joints between parts in the target product, and also recognizes the parts that are joined together (step S25), and calculates a disassembly path for the target parts of the target product (step S26).

[0066] Next, the disassembly procedure creation unit 215 creates a disassembly procedure based on the joint locations recognized by the disassembly procedure determination unit 214 and the calculated disassembly path for the target parts (step S27). Then, the UI control unit 212 presents the disassembly procedure created by the disassembly procedure creation unit 215 to the product disassembler by displaying it in the display field 2003 of the UI screen 2000 displayed on the terminal device 300 (step S29).

[0067] Furthermore, in step S23, if it is determined that the disassembly procedure manual corresponding to the target product and target parts identified in step S22 is already registered in the disassembly procedure manual DB223 (YES in step S23), the disassembly procedure manual search unit 218 then reads the disassembly procedure manual from the disassembly procedure manual DB223 (step S28). After this, the process proceeds to step S29, where the disassembly procedure manual corresponding to the target product and target parts is presented to the product disassembler. The above is a description of the disassembly procedure manual creation process in the second embodiment.

[0068] According to this embodiment, a product disassembler can obtain a disassembly procedure manual that allows them to remove the target parts of the target product.

[0069] <Example of disassembly procedure> Next, we will explain an example of a disassembly procedure manual.

[0070] Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of the target product P. The target product P consists of the following components: a lid P1, screws P21-P24, an electronic circuit board P3, wiring P41, 42, a battery P5, a cooling fan P7, and a housing P8.

[0071] The cover P1 is attached to the housing P8 by screws P21 and P22. The electronic circuit board P3 is attached to the upper interior of the housing P8 by screws P23 and P24. The battery P5 is located in the upper interior of the housing P8 and supplies power to the electronic circuit board P3 via wiring P41. The cooling fan P7 is located in the lower interior of the housing P8 and is connected to the electronic circuit board P3 via wiring P42.

[0072] Figure 9 shows an example of a disassembly procedure manual corresponding to a use case where, for example, a user of the product removes and disposes of the battery P5 from the target product P.

[0073] In this use case, the user, acting as the product disassembler, specifies the target product and the target component (battery P5). In this case, a disassembly procedure manual is created that covers the steps up to removing battery P5.

[0074] Figure 9, upper left, shows the state before disassembly. First, remove screw P21, which connects lid P1 to housing P8, as shown in the upper right of the same figure. Next, remove screw P22, as shown in the middle left of the same figure. Next, remove lid P1 from housing P8, as shown in the middle right of the same figure. Next, remove wiring P41 from battery P5, as shown in the lower left of the same figure. Finally, remove battery P5 from inside housing P8. The above is a description of the disassembly procedure up to the removal of battery P5.

[0075] Next, Figures 10 and 11 show an example of a disassembly procedure for a use case where, for example, a recycler acting as a product disassembler does not possess a sorting machine for resin (plastic) and metal, and the acceptable proportion of dissimilar materials is 10% or less (resin and metal may be mixed up to 10%).

[0076] In this use case, the recycler, acting as the product disassembler, specifies the target product. In this case, a disassembly procedure manual is created that covers the process of separating a component containing both resin and metal into its separate resin and metal components.

[0077] The upper left of Figure 10 shows the state before disassembly. First, remove the screws P21 and P22 that are joining the lid P1 to the housing P8, as shown in the upper right of the same figure. Next, remove the lid P1 from the housing P8, as shown in the middle left of the same figure. Next, remove the wiring P41 and battery P5 that are connected to the electronic circuit board P3, as shown in the middle right of the same figure. Next, remove the screws P23 and P24 that are joining the electronic circuit board P3 inside the housing P8, as shown in the lower left of the same figure. Next, remove the electronic circuit board P3 from the housing P8 and remove the wiring P42 from the electronic circuit board P3, as shown in the lower right of the same figure.

[0078] Next, as shown in the upper left of Figure 11, disconnect the wiring P42 from the cooling fan P7. Then, as shown in the upper right of the same figure, remove the cooling fan P7 from inside the housing P8. Finally, as shown in the lower left of the same figure, separate the cooling fan P7 into the aluminum alloy fan P71 and the resin fan housing P72. The above is a description of the disassembly procedure for separating a component containing resin and metal into resin and metal parts.

[0079] As described above, according to the embodiments of the present invention, a disassembly procedure manual can be created and presented to the product disassembler according to the disassembly purpose of the product disassembler.

[0080] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible. For example, the embodiments described above are described in detail to make the present invention easier to understand, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Furthermore, it is possible to replace or add to the configurations of one embodiment with those of another embodiment. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0081] 10, 20... Disassembly procedure manual creation system, 100... Manufacturer equipment, 200... Disassembly procedure manual creation device, 210... Processing unit, 211... Product DB registration unit, 212... UI control unit, 213... Target product search unit, 214... Disassembly procedure determination unit, 215... Disassembly procedure manual creation unit, 216... User account registration unit, 217... Target part specification unit, 218... Disassembly procedure manual search unit, 219... Access aggregation unit, 220... Storage unit, 230... Communication unit, 300... Terminal device, 2000... UI screen

Claims

1. A UI control unit that receives information from a product disassembler specifying the target product to be disassembled, A target product search unit identifies the target product by referring to a product DB (database) that manages product data related to products that may be subject to disassembly, and retrieves the product data corresponding to the identified target product from the product DB. A disassembly procedure determination unit determines the disassembly procedure for the target product by calculating a disassembly path, which is a movement path that does not interfere with other parts, for each part, based on the CAD data of the target product included in the product data and the attribute data of the parts that constitute the target product. A disassembly procedure manual creation unit that creates a disassembly procedure manual based on the determined disassembly procedure, A device for creating disassembly procedure manuals.

2. A disassembly procedure manual creation device according to claim 1, The disassembly procedure determination unit recognizes the joints between the components constituting the target product and the joined components, and calculates the disassembly path for the components. Disassembly procedure manual creation device.

3. A disassembly procedure manual creation device according to claim 1, The disassembly procedure determination unit calculates the disassembly path for a component for which it cannot calculate the disassembly path, after calculating the disassembly paths for other components. Disassembly procedure manual creation device.

4. A disassembly procedure manual creation device according to claim 1, The disassembly procedure determination unit evaluates the ease of disassembly for each component and calculates the optimal disassembly path. Disassembly procedure manual creation device.

5. A disassembly procedure manual creation device according to claim 1, The UI control unit receives information from the product disassembler specifying the parts to be removed from the target product, The disassembly procedure creation unit creates the disassembly procedure up to the point of removing the parts to be removed from the target product. Disassembly procedure manual creation device.

6. A disassembly procedure manual creation device according to claim 1, The disassembly procedure creation unit refers to the user account database in which the account information of the product disassembler is registered, and creates the disassembly procedure according to the account information of the product disassembler. Disassembly procedure manual creation device.

7. A disassembly procedure manual creation device according to claim 1, The disassembly procedure creation unit refers to the user account database in which the account information of the product disassembler is registered, and creates the disassembly procedure according to the account information of the product disassembler and the attribute data of the target product. Disassembly procedure manual creation device.

8. A disassembly procedure manual creation device according to claim 6 or 7, The account information of the product disassembler includes the type of product disassembler, the qualifications held, and at least one of the mixed materials that the product disassembler can handle and the acceptable proportion of dissimilar materials. Disassembly procedure manual creation device.

9. A disassembly procedure manual creation device according to claim 1, A disassembly procedure database for managing the disassembly procedure created by the disassembly procedure creation unit, The system includes a disassembly procedure search unit that searches for the disassembly procedures registered in the disassembly procedure database. Disassembly procedure manual creation device.

10. A disassembly procedure manual creation device according to claim 9, Access information for the disassembly procedures registered in the aforementioned disassembly procedure database is made public in association with the product corresponding to the disassembly procedure. Disassembly procedure manual creation device.

11. A disassembly procedure manual creation device according to claim 1, The system includes an access aggregation unit that aggregates at least one of the number of times and the frequency in which the disassembly procedure manual has been created for the product whose product data is registered in the product database. Disassembly procedure manual creation device.

12. A disassembly procedure manual creation device according to claim 1, The system includes a product database registration unit that acquires CAD data and component attribute data relating to products that may be subject to disassembly, and registers them in the product database as product data. The product database registration unit removes unnecessary information unrelated to the product and confidential information from the CAD data and attribute data and registers them in the product database. Disassembly procedure manual creation device.

13. A method for creating disassembly procedure manuals using a disassembly procedure manual creation device, A reception step that receives information from the product disassembler specifying the target product to be disassembled, A target product search step involves identifying the target product by referring to a product database that manages product data related to products that may be subject to disassembly, and obtaining the product data corresponding to the identified target product from the product database. A disassembly procedure determination step in which the disassembly procedure for the target product is determined by calculating a disassembly path, which is a movement path that does not interfere with other parts, for each part, based on the CAD data of the target product included in the product data and the attribute data of the parts that constitute the target product, A step of creating a disassembly procedure manual, which involves creating a disassembly procedure manual based on the determined disassembly procedure, Method for creating disassembly instructions, including the procedure described.

14. A disassembly procedure creation system comprising a terminal device used by a product disassembler and a disassembly procedure creation device, The terminal device displays a UI screen, The aforementioned disassembly procedure manual creation device is A UI control unit that receives information from the product disassembler specifying the target product to be disassembled, which is entered on the UI screen, A target product search unit identifies the target product by referring to a product database that manages product data related to products that may be subject to disassembly, and retrieves the product data corresponding to the identified target product from the product database. A disassembly procedure determination unit determines the disassembly procedure for the target product by calculating a disassembly path, which is a movement path that does not interfere with other parts, for each part, based on the CAD data of the target product included in the product data and the attribute data of the parts that constitute the target product. The system includes a disassembly procedure creation unit that creates a disassembly procedure document based on the determined disassembly procedure, The UI control unit displays the created disassembly procedure manual on the UI screen. Disassembly procedure manual creation system.

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