Recyclable assembly and method for the handling thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a recyclable assembly (10; 10a) having a carrier element (12; 12a) which is connected in the region of connecting points (16; 16a) to components (1 to 4; 48 to 50), and having a mechanically operating separating mechanism (20), wherein the separating mechanism (20) has at least one separating element (21) having an actuating portion (28; 28a) for activating the at least one separating element (21), and wherein the at least one separating element (21) is designed such that when activated it severs, preferably completely severs, at least one connecting point (16; 16a) between a component (1 to 4; 48 to 50) and the carrier element (12; 12a).

Description

[0001] Description and procedures for handling them

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The invention relates to a recyclable assembly characterized by a particularly simple possibility of detaching components from a carrier element in the event of recycling or disposal of the assembly. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for handling a recyclable assembly designed according to the invention.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] In the wake of growing environmental awareness and the requirement to recycle or dispose of technical devices as easily as possible, technologies are already being used to simplify the recycling of assemblies or components. In the case of electronic devices, for example, this means that electronic or electrical components arranged on a circuit carrier, such as a printed circuit board, can be removed or separated from the circuit carrier as easily as possible so that they can either be disposed of separately or reused. For example, connection technologies are used that are arranged in such a way that the connection between the circuit carrier and the components can be released as easily as possible. However, when recycling such assemblies it is typically necessary to detach or remove each component individually from a carrier element of the assembly.This results in relatively high effort and corresponding costs, which may make it uneconomical to recycle an assembly or its components. Disclosure of the invention.

[0006] The recyclable assembly according to the invention with the features of claim 1 has the advantage that it enables the separation of components connected to a carrier element in a particularly simple manner, allowing the components of the assembly to be recycled or simply disposed of. This is achieved without the use of complicated additional devices or in a mechanical manner and is therefore suitable for a wide variety of assemblies.

[0007] The invention is based on the idea of ​​severing at least one connection point between a component and the support element by means of a mechanically actuated separating element, which is already incorporated during the manufacture of the assembly or is an integral part of the assembly. To achieve this, it is particularly necessary that the separating element has greater strength or hardness than the connection point, and that the required movement of the separating element is enabled by suitable kinematics.

[0008] Against the background of the above explanations, a recyclable assembly with the features of claim 1 therefore comprises a carrier element that is connected to components by means of connection points. Furthermore, a mechanically acting separating mechanism is provided, wherein the separating mechanism comprises at least one separating element with an actuating section for activating the at least one separating element. Furthermore, the at least one separating element is designed, upon activation, to sever at least one connection point, in particular all connection points between the component and the carrier element, preferably completely. It should be noted that the term "carrier element" must be understood very generally within the scope of the invention and can, for example, also encompass another component of the assembly, so that, very generally speaking, connections between two interconnected components of the assembly can also be severed by means of the assembly.

[0009] Using such an assembly, a wide variety of connections can be released. For example, (fastening) clips can be loosened or molded-in components can be removed. A device casing or housing, for example, can be disassembled into its components in a controlled manner at specified locations. Furthermore, soldered connections or adhesive joints can be severed, or electrical insulation can be removed. This list is merely exemplary and not exhaustive, and can encompass many other applications.

[0010] Advantageous further developments of the recyclable assembly according to the invention are listed in the subclaims.

[0011] Particularly preferably, the at least one separating element is designed as a flexible cable or wire element, with the actuating section preferably being an end section of the cable or wire element. Due to the flexibility of the cable or wire element, it can be easily arranged at the intended or required locations, with the separating element being particularly easy and effective to handle via the actuating section designed as an end section.

[0012] The separating element is preferably, but not restrictively, used in a connection point which is designed as a material-to-material connection, in particular as a thermally conductive layer in the form of a thermally conductive adhesive, wherein the at least one separating element is designed to traverse the area of ​​the material-to-material connection between the carrier element and the component when activated and thereby to sever it.

[0013] In a further development of the last proposal, it is provided that the at least one separating element is arranged in the plane of the material-to-material connection, wherein the separating element designed as a cable or wire element comprises the component and / or the material-to-material connection in the manner of a loop, which is designed to contract upon activation of the separating element or wherein the loop of the cable or wire element contracts upon activation of the separating element. Such a design enables the loop to be contracted by a pulling movement on the actuating section while simultaneously severing the formation point. It can also be provided that at least one of the connection points has a mechanical connecting element. Such a connecting element can be designed, for example, as a connecting clip made of plastic or similar.

[0014] A further preferred field of application of the invention comprises assemblies in which the carrier element is a circuit carrier and the components are electrical, electronic or mechanical components connected to the circuit carrier.

[0015] In order to enable a protected or invisible installation of the separating mechanism, it can further be provided that the carrier element is arranged together with the components and at least the at least one separating element of the separating mechanism in a housing, and that the actuating section is led outwards via a preferably sealed housing opening or is arranged in the region of a housing opening accessible from the outside.

[0016] In order to be able to cut through multiple connection points using a single rope or wire element, the rope or wire element is guided around several deflection points arranged in a fixed position relative to the support element. The arrangement of the deflection points allows the movement path of the rope or wire element to be influenced or controlled, and the rope or wire element can be positioned in the areas where the connection points are intended.

[0017] To ensure the required high strength and the ability to cut through the joints, the rope or wire element is preferably designed as a fiber-reinforced plastic cord or as a steel wire or thin steel wire. Furthermore, the steel wire or plastic cord (e.g., a Kevlar cord) can be designed with a roughened surface or a surface with sawing properties.

[0018] To simplify the severing of the connection point, the assembly may further include at least one insertion point for heat transfer to at least one connection point and / or for heating the at least one separating element by means of a preferably external heating element. This makes it easier to sever, for example, an adhesive connection or a material-to-material connection.

[0019] The invention basically makes it possible for several separating elements to be provided, each of which can be actuated individually and / or for several connection points to be severed by means of one separating element.

[0020] An advantageous embodiment of the separating element can provide that the at least one separating element is designed to implement a mechanical, electrical, or other functionality of the assembly during the life cycle of the assembly. For example, the separating element can serve as a conductor track or for conducting current, as a (mechanical) wire element for fastening, or similar.

[0021] The assembly preferably forms an electronic unit, in particular a control unit, or an electromechanical unit, such as a hand-held power tool or similar.

[0022] Finally, the invention also comprises a method for handling a recyclable assembly designed according to the invention as described so far, wherein the method is characterized in that in order to separate at least one component connected to the carrier element in the region of a connection point, the actuating element is pulled by an external actuating tool or manually.

[0023] Finally, it can be provided that before activation of the at least one separating element, the at least one separating element and / or at least one connection point is / are heated.

[0024] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the drawings.

[0025] Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows a simplified representation of a recyclable assembly with a separation mechanism arranged therein during its life cycle,

[0026] Fig. 2 shows the assembly according to Fig. 1 when the separation mechanism is activated by means of an external actuating device for separating components from a carrier element of the assembly,

[0027] Fig. 3 shows a cross section in the area of ​​a further assembly in the form of a control unit with components connected to a housing via thermally conductive adhesive, which components can be detached from a housing upper part by means of separating elements and

[0028] Fig. 4 is a plan view of a component of the assembly according to Fig. 3 that is to be separated.

[0029] Embodiments of the invention

[0030] Identical elements or elements with the same function are provided with the same reference numbers in the figures.

[0031] Figs. 1 and 2 show a highly simplified representation of a recyclable assembly 10, which, by way of example and not by way of limitation, comprises a carrier element 12 in the form of a printed circuit board 14. The assembly 10 is in particular a component of a control unit (not shown) or an electromechanical assembly and is arranged in a housing (not shown).

[0032] For example, several electrical, electronic, or mechanical components 1 to 4 are arranged on a top side of the circuit board 14 and are connected to the carrier element 12 in the region of connection points 16. The connection points 16 are, in particular, material-to-material connections 18, in particular soldered connections, sintered connections, or adhesive connections. The connection points 16 can serve either for the purely mechanical fastening of the components 1 to 4 or, simultaneously or alternatively, for the electrical contacting of an electronic circuit of the circuit board 14.

[0033] In addition, the assembly 10 has a separation mechanism 20 with at least one separation element 21, which is designed to mechanically destroy or at least partially sever at least some of the connection points 16, in the exemplary embodiment the connection points 16 of the two components 1 and 2, upon activation in order to separate the components 1 and 2 from the carrier element 12 after the end of the life cycle of the assembly 10.

[0034] The at least one separating element 21 of the separating mechanism 20 comprises a flexible cable or wire element 22, which is designed in the form of a plastic cord, e.g., made of Kevlar, or a (thin) steel wire. It is essential that the cable or wire element 22 has such a strength that it enables a mechanical separation of the connection points 16 or a destruction of the integral connections 18.

[0035] The cable or wire element 22 is arranged in a loop above the support element 12, specifically at the height or in the plane of the connection points 16. When arranged in a housing, the two ends 23, 24 of the cable or wire element 22 are arranged at an externally accessible edge region 26 of the assembly 10 or the support element 12. In particular, the two ends 23, 24 are joined to form an actuating section 28, for example in the form of a plastic element to which the two ends 23, 24 are attached.

[0036] The cable or wire element 22 is guided in the area of ​​the assembly 10 or on the top side of the support element 12 around a plurality of deflection points 30 which are arranged in a fixed position with respect to the support element 12. The deflection points 30 are designed to be mechanically stable or strong in such a way that they are not destroyed when the separating mechanism 22 is actuated. Furthermore, guide elements 32 are provided which serve to guide the cable or wire element 22 at least when the separating mechanism 20 is not actuated. As can also be seen from Fig. 1, the cable or wire element 22 can be wound spirally, for example in the area of ​​the component 2. In particular, the arrangement of the cable or wire element 22 in the area of ​​the two components 1 and 2 is such that the cable or wire element 22 is arranged either, as in the case of component 2, directly in the area of ​​the connection point 16 oris arranged in overlap with the connection point 16, or laterally adjacent, such that when the separating mechanism 20 is actuated, the rope or wire element 22 executes a movement in which the rope or wire element 22 reaches the area of ​​the mentioned connection points 16 and in the process mechanically destroys or severes the connection points 16.

[0037] Fig. 2 shows the assembly 10 during the activation of the separating mechanism 20. This is done using an actuating tool 100, which can be attached, for example, to the carrier element 12 in the region of the actuating section 28. The actuating tool 100 comprises a holding element 102 for holding the actuating section 28. The holding element 102 can be moved together with the actuating section 28 in the direction of arrow 36 when the separating mechanism 20 is activated. The movement occurs either manually or, for example, by an electric motor. Furthermore, the actuating tool 100 can have a heating device or the like (not shown), for example to heat a steel wire when using the separating element 21, thereby enabling easier severing of connection points 16.Furthermore, an (external) heating device can be provided for heating the assembly 10 in the area of ​​the connection points 16 to be separated, in order to also facilitate the separation process. For this purpose, the assembly 10 can have suitable heat introduction points, for example, housing openings or similar.

[0038] As can be seen from Fig. 2, upon activation of the separation mechanism 20, the guide elements 32 are at least partially destroyed, whereby the movement path of the cable or wire element 20 in component 1 reaches the region of its connection point 16 and thereby severes this connection. Furthermore, the cable or wire element 20 in component 2 is unwound or stretched from its spiral state, whereby the corresponding connection point 16 to the carrier element 12 is also severed. Furthermore, upon activation of the separation mechanism 20, the cable or wire element 22 is partially pulled out of the region of the carrier element 12 or the housing (not shown).

[0039] While in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the cable or wire element 22 is guided in a plane just above the support element 12 or in the plane of the connection points 16, Fig. 3 shows an assembly 10a which has a housing 40 of a control unit 41 which consists of a lower housing part 42 and an upper housing part 44 connected to the lower housing part 42. A printed circuit board 46 is arranged within an interior of the housing 40, on which components 48 to 50 to be cooled are arranged and are connected to the printed circuit board 46, for example by means of soldered connections or the like. On the upper side of the components 48 to 50 facing away from the printed circuit board 46, the components are thermally connected to the upper housing part 44 at connection points 16a by means of a thermally conductive adhesive 52 in order to cool the components 48 to 50.In addition, sealed through-openings 54 are formed in the upper housing part 44, within which a cable or wire element 22a to 22c is passed for each component 48 to 50.

[0040] As can be seen particularly from Fig. 4, the cable elements 22a to 22c are each arranged around the components 48 to 50 and the thermally conductive adhesive 52 in the form of a (contractible) loop 55 with a node 56. The end sections of the cable elements 22a to 22c each form an actuating section 28a on the outside of the housing 40. If the actuating sections 28a are pulled in the direction of the arrows 58, the loops 55 of the cable elements 22a to 22c are pulled together and sever the thermally conductive adhesive 52, thereby enabling the components 48 to 50 to be separated from the upper housing part 44. The upper housing part 44 thus forms the carrier element 12a, which is connected to the components 48 to 50 via the thermally conductive adhesive 52 as connection points 16a.

[0041] The assembly 10, 10a described so far can be modified or altered in a variety of ways without deviating from the spirit of the invention. In particular, it should be noted that the invention is not intended to be limited to use with electrical, electronic, or electromechanical assemblies 10, 10a. Rather, other devices or machine parts can also be recycled in the manner described in the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A recyclable assembly (10; 10a) comprising a carrier element (12; 12a) connected to components (1 to 4; 48 to 50) in the region of connection points (16; 16a), and comprising a mechanically acting separating mechanism (20), wherein the separating mechanism (20) comprises at least one separating element (21) with an actuating section (28; 28a) for activating the at least one separating element (21), and wherein the at least one separating element (21) is designed, upon activation, to sever at least one connection point (16; 16a), in particular all connection points (16; 16a) between the component (1 to 4; 48 to 50) and the carrier element (12; 12a), preferably completely.

2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one separating element (21) is designed as a flexible cable or wire element (22; 22a to 22c), and that the actuating section (28; 28a) is preferably an end section of the cable or wire element (22; 22a to 22c).

3. Assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the rope or wire element (22) is guided around a plurality of deflection points (30) arranged in a fixed position relative to the support element (12).

4. Assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the rope or wire element (22; 22a to 22c) is designed as a fiber-reinforced plastic cord or as a thin steel wire.

5. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the connecting points (16; 16a) is designed as a material connection, and that the at least one separating element (21) is designed to traverse the area of the material connection between the carrier element (12; 12a) and the component (1 to 4; 48 to 50) when activated.

6. Assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one separating element (21) is arranged in the plane of the material connection, wherein the separating element (21) designed as a rope or wire element (22a to 22c) comprises the component (48 to 50) and / or the connection point (16a) in the form of a loop (55) which is designed to contract upon activation of the separating element (21).

7. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the connecting points (16; 16a) has a mechanical connecting element.

8. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier element (12; 12a) is a printed circuit board (14; 46) and the components (1 to 4; 48 to 50) are electrical, electronic or mechanical components (1 to 4; 48 to 50) connected to the printed circuit board (14; 46).

9. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier element (12a) together with the components (48 to 50) and at least the at least one separating element (21) of the separating mechanism (20) are arranged in a housing (40), and that the actuating section (28a) is guided to the outside via a preferably sealed housing opening or is arranged in the region of a housing opening accessible from the outside.

10. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the assembly (10; 10a) has at least one introduction point for heat transfer to at least one connection point (16; 16a) and / or for heating the at least one separating element (21) by means of a preferably external heating element.

11. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of separating elements (21) are provided, each of which can be actuated individually and / or that a plurality of connection points (16; 16a) can be severed by means of a separating element (21).

12. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one separating element (21) is designed to form a mechanical, electrical or other functionality of the assembly (10; 10a) during the life cycle of the assembly (10; 10a).

13. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assembly (10; 10a) forms an electronic unit (41), in particular a control unit (41), or an electromechanical unit.

14. Method for handling a recyclable assembly (10; 10a) designed according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in order to separate at least one component (1 to 4; 48 to 50) connected to the carrier element (12; 12a) in the region of a connection point (16; 16a), the actuating element (28; 28a) is pulled by an external actuating tool (100) or manually.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that before activation of the at least one separating element (21), the at least one separating element (21) and / or at least one connection point (16; 16a) is / are heated.

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