Tire recycling information presentation method, tire recycling information presentation program, tire recycling information presentation device, and tire recycling information presentation system

Abstract

An acquisition unit 50 acquires individual information by reading, via a reader, individual information stored in advance in an RFID tag 34 disposed in a tire, a communication unit 54 accesses a database 44 of a database server, and the communication unit 54 acquires, from the database, recycling information pertaining to the tire corresponding to the individual information acquired by the acquisition unit 50. The display processing unit then presents the recycling information pertaining to the tire by performing a process for displaying the recycling information acquired by the communication unit on a display unit.

Description

Tire recycling information presentation method, tire recycling information presentation program, tire recycling information presentation device, and tire recycling information presentation system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tire recycling information presentation method, a tire recycling information presentation program, a tire recycling information presentation device, and a tire recycling information presentation system.

[0002] Patent Document 1 (JP 2023-87596 A) proposes a tire that includes a tire frame member made of a resin material, in which a pair of tire frame halves, each having a bead portion, a side portion, and a half-width crown half portion, are joined together at the tips of the crown halves, a cord reinforcing layer that is arranged radially outward of the tire frame member, and an RFID tag that is joined to the inner circumferential surface of the joint where the tips are joined.

[0003] Patent Document 2 (JP 2023-87597 A) proposes a tire that includes a tire frame member made of a resin material, in which a pair of tire frame halves, each having a bead portion, a side portion, and a half-width crown half portion, are joined together at the tips of the crown halves, a cord reinforcing layer that is arranged radially outward of the tire frame member, and an RFID tag that is joined to the outer peripheral surface of the joint where the tips are joined.

[0004] Patent Document 3 (JP 2023-87598 A) proposes a tire having an annular tire frame member made of resin, which includes a bead portion, a side portion connected to the outer side of the bead portion in the tire radial direction, and a crown portion connected to the inner side of the side portion in the tire width direction, and an RFID tag attached to the outer surface of the side portion.

[0005] Patent Document 4 (JP 2023-87599 A) proposes a tire having a tire frame member including a bead portion in which a bead core is embedded in a bead filler portion made of a resin material, and side portions each made of a resin material and connected to the outside of the bead portion in the tire radial direction, and an RFID tag provided in the bead filler portion.

[0006] Tires whose frame members are made of resin as in Patent Documents 1 to 4, and tires that include resin members such as resin belts, use more types of materials than normal tires, and their structure differs from that of normal tires that are primarily made of rubber, and the procedures for recycling and disposing of them also differ from those of normal tires.

[0007] Furthermore, tires with resin components have more recyclable components than regular tires, so recycling of tires is desirable. Recycling of regular tires is also desirable.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a tire recycling information presentation method, a tire recycling information presentation program, a tire recycling information presentation device, and a tire recycling information presentation system that can promote tire recycling.

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the tire recycling information presentation method according to the first aspect performs a process in which a computer acquires individual information pre-stored in an RFID tag placed on a tire, accesses a database in which recycling information for the tire corresponding to the individual information has been pre-registered, and acquires and presents the recycling information corresponding to the acquired individual information from the database.

[0010] A tire recycling information presentation method according to a second aspect is the tire recycling information presentation method according to the first aspect, wherein the tire has a frame member made of resin.

[0011] A tire recycling information presentation method according to a third aspect is the tire recycling information presentation method according to the first or second aspect, wherein the recycling information includes at least one of whether the tire can be recycled and a procedure for dismantling the tire.

[0012] A tire recycling information presentation method according to a fourth aspect is the tire recycling information presentation method according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising the step of accepting retread information indicating the retreading of the tire when the tread of the tire is retreaded, linking the retread information to the individual information, and registering the retread information in the database.

[0013] The tire recycling information presentation method according to the fifth aspect is the tire recycling information presentation method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and further performs a process of accepting material recycling information indicating the recycling of materials when recycling a tire whose materials can be recycled, linking the material recycling information to the individual information, and registering it in the database.

[0014] The tire recycling information presentation method according to the sixth aspect is the tire recycling information presentation method according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, and further performs, when the tire is to be discarded, a process of accepting disposal information indicating the disposal of the tire, linking the disposal information to the individual information and registering it in the database, or a process of deleting the individual information registered in the database.

[0015] The tire recycling information presentation program according to the seventh aspect causes a computer to execute a process of acquiring individual information pre-stored in an RFID tag placed on a tire, accessing a database in which recycling information for the tire corresponding to the individual information has been pre-registered, and acquiring and presenting the recycling information corresponding to the acquired individual information from the database.

[0016] The tire recycling information presentation device of the eighth aspect includes an acquisition unit that acquires individual information pre-stored in an RFID tag placed on a tire, and a presentation unit that accesses a database in which recycling information for the tire corresponding to the individual information is pre-registered, and acquires and presents the recycling information corresponding to the individual information acquired by the acquisition unit from the database.

[0017] The tire recycling information presentation system of the ninth aspect includes a database in which recycling information of the tire corresponding to individual information pre-stored in an RFID tag placed on the tire is pre-registered, and the tire recycling information presentation device of the seventh aspect.

[0018] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a tire recycling information presentation method, a tire recycling information presentation program, a tire recycling information presentation device, and a tire recycling information presentation system that can promote tire recycling.

[0019] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a tire recycling information presentation system according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of a tire recycling information presentation device according to an embodiment; FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a tire distribution route; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow performed when checking tire recycling information in the tire recycling information presentation device according to an embodiment; and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow performed when registering processing details of collected tires in a database in the tire recycling information presentation device according to an embodiment.

[0020] An example of an embodiment that realizes the technology of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that in each drawing, the same or equivalent components and parts are assigned the same reference numerals. Furthermore, the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions. Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment, and can be implemented by making appropriate modifications within the scope of the object of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a tire recycling information presentation system according to this embodiment.

[0022] In the tire recycling information presentation system 10 according to this embodiment, a tire recycling information presentation device 12 and a database server 14 are each connected to a network 16. The tire recycling information presentation device 12 accesses the database server 14 to acquire various information. Examples of the network 16 include the Internet, a local area network (LAN), and a wide area network (WAN). Although FIG. 1 shows only one tire recycling information presentation device 12, multiple tire recycling information presentation devices 12 may be provided. The tire recycling information presentation device 12 is installed, for example, at a location where used tires T are collected.

[0023] The tire recycling information presentation device 12 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 18, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 20, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, an operation unit 24, a display unit 26, and a communication I / F (Interface) 28. The CPU 18 controls the overall operation of the tire recycling information presentation device 12. The ROM 20 stores various control programs and various data in advance. The RAM 22 is used as a work area when the CPU 18 executes various programs. The operation unit 24 is used to input various information. The display unit 26 is used to display various information. The communication I / F 28 is connectable to external devices and transmits and receives various data to and from the external devices. The above-described components of the tire recycling information presentation device 12 are electrically connected to each other via a system bus 30.

[0024] With the above configuration, the tire recycling information presentation device 12 according to this embodiment uses the CPU 18 to access the ROM 20 and the RAM 22, obtain various data via the operation unit 24, and display various information on the display unit 26. The CPU 18 of the tire recycling information presentation device 12 also controls the transmission and reception of various data via the communication I / F 28.

[0025] In this embodiment, the communication I / F 28 can be connected to a reader 32 that reads individual information pre-stored in an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag 34 attached to the tire T.

[0026] In this embodiment, a tire whose frame member is made of resin is used as the tire T as an example, but a normal tire whose main material is rubber may also be used, or both may be used.

[0027] The RFID tag 34 includes an IC chip and an antenna, and is disposed in the bead portion, tread portion, or side portion of the tire T, for example, in the case of a tire whose frame member is made of resin, as in Patent Documents 1 to 4 described in the prior art documents. In the case of a normal tire whose main material is rubber, the RFID tag 34 may be disposed by being sandwiched between a plurality of the same or different components that constitute the tire, or may be embedded in any of the components that constitute the tire. The number of RFID tags 34 is not particularly limited. For example, only one RFID tag 34 may be provided, or two or more RFID tags 34 may be provided.

[0028] On the other hand, the database server 14 includes a CPU 36, a ROM 38, a RAM 40, a communication I / F 42, and a database 44. The CPU 36 controls the overall operation of the database server 14. The ROM 38 stores various control programs and various data in advance. The RAM 40 is used as a work area when the CPU 36 executes various programs. The communication I / F 42 is connectable to external devices and transmits and receives various data to and from the external devices. Information related to the tire T on which the RFID tag 34 is attached is registered in advance in the database 44. The above-described components of the database server 14 are electrically connected to each other via a system bus 46.

[0029] With the above configuration, the database server 14 according to this embodiment controls access by the CPU 36 to the ROM 38, the RAM 40, and the database 44, and controls the transmission and reception of various data via the communication I / F 42 by the CPU 36. The CPU 36 of the database server 14 also controls the transmission and reception of various data via the communication I / F 42.

[0030] In the present embodiment, information related to the tire T, including at least recycling information of the tire T, is registered in advance in the database 44 of the database server 14, linked to the individual information of the RFID tag 34. Specifically, identification information for identifying the tire T and information related to the tire T are registered in advance, linked to the individual information of the RFID tag 34. That is, the tire T can be identified by the identification information from the individual information of the RFID tag 34, and information related to the tire T can also be identified.

[0031] As an example of the recycling information, recycling information including at least one of whether the tire T can be recycled and the procedure for dismantling the tire T is stored.

[0032] In addition to the above, the information related to the tire T may further include information related to the production of the tire T, such as the production date of the tire T, the production lot number, and the production location.

[0033] In this disclosure, recycling of the tire T includes a case where the tire T is reclaimed by retreading, in which the tread surface of the tire T is peeled off and reclaimed, and a case where the tire T is dismantled and reused as materials. In the following description, a case where the tread of the tire T is reclaimed may be referred to as retreading, and a case where the tread is reused as materials may be referred to as material recycling.

[0034] Next, a description will be given of functions realized by the CPU 18 of the tire recycling information presentation device 12 according to this embodiment configured as described above executing the programs stored in the ROM 20. Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the tire recycling information presentation device 12 according to this embodiment.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2 , the tire recycling information presentation device 12 has the functions of an acquisition unit 50, a presentation unit 52, and a reception unit 58, as a result of the CPU 18 executing a program stored in the ROM 20.

[0036] The acquisition unit 50 acquires the individual information of the RFID tag 34 by reading the individual information stored in advance in the RFID tag 34 placed on the tire T using the reader 32 .

[0037] The presentation unit 52 has the functions of a communication unit 54 and a display processing unit 56, and the communication unit 54 accesses the database 44 of the database server 14 and acquires, from the database 44, recycling information for the tire T corresponding to the individual information acquired by the acquisition unit 50. The display processing unit 56 then performs processing to display the recycling information acquired by the communication unit 54 on the display unit 26, thereby presenting the recycling information for the tire T.

[0038] The reception unit 58 receives the processing details of the used tire T collected from the user. Specifically, the reception unit 58 receives whether the processing details of the tire T are to be recycled (retreaded or material recycled) or discarded. For example, the reception unit 58 receives the operation input result of the operation unit 24. Then, for the tire T corresponding to the individual information acquired by the acquisition unit 50, the processing details are linked to the individual information and registered in the database 44, thereby updating the database 44. In this embodiment, examples of the processing details to be registered in the database 44 include retread information indicating retreading, material recycling information indicating material recycling, and disposal information indicating disposal.

[0039] Next, an example of a distribution route of the tire T equipped with the RFID tag 34 will be described, in which the tire recycling information presentation device 12 is preferably used. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a distribution route of the tire T.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, when a tire T with an RFID tag 34 attached thereto is produced, it is delivered to a sales and marketing department and sold, and is then supplied to users (users A to N in FIG. 3).

[0041] The supplied tires T wear down as the users use them, so they are replaced at the timing of each user, and the replaced tires T are collected. Note that the sale of the tires T and the collection of the tires T may be carried out by the same company or by different companies.

[0042] The collected tires T are retreaded to regenerate the tread of the tires T, dismantled and recycled as materials, or dismantled and cut into pieces for disposal.

[0043] Here, there are cases where it is unclear whether the collected tires T can be recycled, and if so, the recycling procedures, including whether or not they can be retreaded.

[0044] Therefore, the acquisition unit 50 acquires the individual information by reading the individual information from the RFID tag 34 placed on the tire T using the reader 32, and the communication unit 54 accesses the database server 14 to acquire, from the database 44, recycling information for the tire T that corresponds to the individual information acquired by the acquisition unit 50. Then, the display processing unit 56 performs processing to display the recycling information acquired by the communication unit 54 on the display unit 26, thereby presenting the recycling information for the tire T. This allows the user to check recycling information for the tire T, such as whether the tire T can be recycled and the recycling procedure.

[0045] Furthermore, in order to enable traceability of the tire T, the tire recycling information presentation device 12 according to this embodiment reads the RFID tag 34 when retreading, material recycling, or disposal is performed, and the reception unit 58 receives the processing details. The reception unit 58 then accesses the database 44 of the database server 14 and registers the processing details of the tire T by linking them to the individual information of the read RFID tag 34. This enables traceability of each individual tire T collected at a location where the tire recycling information presentation device 12 is installed.

[0046] Next, a description will be given of specific processing performed when the tire recycling information presentation device 12 according to this embodiment checks the recycling information of the tire T. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed when the tire recycling information presentation device 12 according to this embodiment checks the recycling information of the tire T. Note that the processing in Fig. 4 starts, for example, when the RFID tag 34 is read by a reader 32 at a company or the like that collects the tire T.

[0047] In step 100, the CPU 18 acquires the individual information pre-stored in the RFID tag 34, and the process proceeds to step 102. That is, the acquisition unit 50 acquires the individual information by reading the individual information pre-stored in the RFID tag 34 placed on the tire T using the reader 32.

[0048] In step 102, the CPU 18 accesses the database 44 and proceeds to step 104. That is, the communication unit 54 accesses the database 44 of the database server 14.

[0049] In step 104, CPU 18 acquires recycling information of tire T corresponding to the individual information of RFID tag 34, and the process proceeds to step 106. That is, communication unit 54 acquires, from database 44, recycling information that corresponds to the individual information acquired by acquisition unit 50, from the recycling information registered in advance in database 44.

[0050] In step 106, the CPU 18 displays the acquired recycling information on the display unit 26, and the process proceeds to step 108. That is, the display processing unit 56 performs processing to display the recycling information acquired by the communication unit 54 on the display unit 26, thereby presenting the recycling information of the tire T. This makes it possible to confirm recycling information of the tire T, such as whether the tire T can be recycled and the recycling procedure. In particular, tires equipped with resin components use more recyclable components than regular tires, and the procedures for recycling and disposal are often unknown. Therefore, presenting the recycling information makes it possible to promote recycling.

[0051] Next, a specific process performed in the tire recycling information presentation device 12 according to this embodiment when the process details (retreading, material recycling, or disposal) of a collected tire T are registered in the database 44 will be described. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process performed in the tire recycling information presentation device 12 according to this embodiment when the process details of a collected tire T are registered in the database 44. The process in Fig. 5 starts, for example, when the RFID tag 34 is read at the location where the tire T is collected. Alternatively, the process starts when the RFID tag 34 is read by the reader 32 when the tire T is retreaded, material recycled, or disposed of.

[0052] In step 200, the CPU 18 acquires the individual information pre-stored in the RFID tag 34, and then the process proceeds to step 202. That is, the acquisition unit 50 acquires the individual information by reading the individual information pre-stored in the RFID tag 34 placed on the tire T using the reader 32.

[0053] In step 202, the CPU 18 determines whether or not it has received the details of what to do with the collected tire T. For example, the CPU 18 waits until it determines whether or not the operation unit 24 has been operated and the details of what to do with the collected tire T have been input, and then proceeds to step 204.

[0054] In step 204, the CPU 18 determines whether the received process content is retreading. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 206, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 208.

[0055] In step 206 , the CPU 18 links the retread information to the individual information of the RFID tag 34 and registers the linked information in the database 44 , thereby updating the database 44 , and then proceeds to step 214 .

[0056] On the other hand, in step 208, the CPU 18 determines whether the received processing content is material recycling. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 210, but if the received processing content is disposal, the process proceeds to step 212.

[0057] In step 210 , the CPU 18 links the material recycling information to the individual information of the RFID tag 34 and registers the linked information in the database 44 , thereby updating the database 44 , and then proceeds to step 214 .

[0058] On the other hand, in step 212, the CPU 18 updates the database 44 by linking the disposal information to the individual information of the RFID tag 34 and registering it in the database 44, and then proceeds to step 214.

[0059] In step 214, the CPU 18 determines whether there are any other collected tires T. For example, this determination is made by determining whether any other RFID tags 34 have been read by the reader 32. If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step 200 and the above-described processing is repeated, and if the determination is negative, the series of processing steps ends.

[0060] In this way, by updating the database 44 with the processing details of the collected tires T based on the individual information of the RFID tag 34, the history of each collected tire T from production to disposal can be managed for each individual tire T, making traceability possible.

[0061] In the above embodiment, in the process of Figure 5, when the tire T is to be discarded, the disposal information is linked to the individual information of the RFID tag 34 and the database 44 is updated. However, in the case of disposal, the individual information of the RFID tag 34 in the database 44 may be deleted.

[0062] Furthermore, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure, and such modifications or improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the processes performed by the tire recycling information presentation device 12 may be realized by a software configuration, or each process may be realized by a hardware configuration.

[0064] (Contribution to the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs))

[0065] The SDGs have been proposed to realize a sustainable society. One embodiment of the present invention is thought to be a technology that can contribute to "No. 9 - Build infrastructure for industry and technological innovation" and "No. 12 - Responsible consumption and production."

[0066] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-209534, filed on December 12, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition, all documents, patent applications, and technical standards described herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A tire recycling information presentation method in which a computer acquires individual information pre-stored in an RFID tag placed on a tire, accesses a database in which recycling information for the tire corresponding to the individual information is pre-registered, and acquires and presents the recycling information corresponding to the acquired individual information from the database.

2. The tire recycling information presentation method according to claim 1, wherein the tire has a frame member made of resin.

3. The tire recycling information presentation method according to claim 1, wherein the recycling information includes at least one of whether the tire can be recycled and a procedure for dismantling the tire.

4. A tire recycling information presentation method as described in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: when the tire tread is retreaded, accepting retread information indicating the retreading, linking the retread information to the individual information, and registering the retread information in the database.

5. A tire recycling information presentation method as described in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: when recycling tires whose materials can be recycled, accepting material recycling information indicating the recycling of the materials, linking the material recycling information to the individual information and registering the information in the database.

6. A tire recycling information presentation method as described in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: when the tire is to be discarded, accepting disposal information indicating the disposal of the tire, linking the disposal information to the individual information and registering it in the database, or deleting the individual information registered in the database.

7. A tire recycling information presentation program for causing a computer to execute a process of acquiring individual information pre-stored in an RFID tag placed on a tire, accessing a database in which recycling information of the tire corresponding to the individual information has been pre-registered, and acquiring and presenting the recycling information corresponding to the acquired individual information from the database.

8. A tire recycling information presentation device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires individual information pre-stored in an RFID tag placed on a tire; and a presentation unit that accesses a database in which recycling information of the tire corresponding to the individual information is pre-registered, and acquires and presents the recycling information corresponding to the individual information acquired by the acquisition unit from the database.

9. A tire recycling information presentation system comprising: a database in which tire recycling information corresponding to individual information pre-stored in an RFID tag placed on a tire is pre-registered; and a tire recycling information presentation device as described in claim 8.

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