A smart material waste station supported by artificial intelligence, robot and digital technology

Abstract

This invention relates to a circular economy, sustainable artificial intelligence, robot and digital technology supported smart material waste station with an object to reduce the carbon footprint, characterized in that it comprises at least one solid waste bin (1) containing the glass section (1.1), the paper section (1.2), the plastic section (1.3), the battery section (1.4), the electronic section (1.5), the composite packaging section (1.6), the metal section (1.7), the organic section (1.8) and the other waste section (1.9) where the solid waste other than these sections is stored, the water waste bin (3) where the water wastes in the solid waste are poured over the water channel (8), the liquid waste bin (2) where the non-water wastes in the solid waste are poured over the liquid channel (7), at least one horizontally positioned horizontal rail (5) that allows the battery section (1.4) and the electronic section (1.5) to be horizontally separated from the solid waste bin (1), at least one vertically positioned vertical rail (4) that allows the remaining sections except the battery section (1.4) and the electronic section (1.5) to be separated vertically from the solid waste bin (1) and the liquid waste bin (2) and the water waste bin (3), the laser sensor integrated in the bin in each section in the solid waste bin (1), the liquid waste bin (2) and the water waste bin (3), the weight sensor integrated in the bin in each section in the solid waste bin (1), the liquid waste bin (2) and the water waste bin (3), the digital display (6) where the occupancy rate of each section in the solid waste bin (1) of the personnel is displayed and the QR code is read, the microcontroller assigning points to the person who deposits waste according to the weight ratio of the wastes transferred to the solid waste sections in the solid waste bin (1), the liquid waste bin (2) and the water waste bin (3) after the QR code is read, the image processor classifying according to the type of solid wastes left in the material area (9), the robot arm using the separation line (A) over the separation area (10) to transfer the classified solid wastes from the accumulation area (11), the Wi-Fi module that transmits the occupancy rates of the solid waste sections in the solid waste bin (1), the liquid waste bin (2) and the waste in the water waste bin (3) to the main center.

Description

[0001] A SMART MATERIAL WASTE STATION SUPPORTED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, ROBOT AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

[0002] Technical Field:

[0003] This invention relates to a smart material waste station supported by artificial intelligence, robot and digital technology that aims to reduce the carbon footprint and provides a circular economy as well as sustainability.

[0004] State of the Art:

[0005] Waste, and especially material waste, has started to be a current problem that needs to be solved with the depletion of limited resources and resources today. Therefore, many countries, together with the United Nations and the European Union, focus on recycling, sustainability, and the circular economy. Within the framework of these focus issues, recycling and zero waste studies have started in many sectors and areas starting from public areas in Tiirkiye and in the world.

[0006] There are recycling bins for separating glass-plastic-paper or glass-plastic-paper-metal, mostly indicated by distinctive colors such as blue, red, yellow, which are seen in public living areas such as shopping centers, apartments, streets, schools. These bins are carried out on a system that expects the user to deposit wastes. However, although the number of openings in these recycling bins (such as plastic-glass-metal or other options) varies according to the type of packaging material, there is generally no standard number. In addition, while different types of packaging materials are collected in recycling bins, the recycling bins of materials such as batteries and electronic waste are not common. This situation causes problems such as the end user (the person who deposits the material in the bin) trying to search for the relevant bin and losing time, depositing it in the wrong bin or giving up on depositing the material in the bin. Another problem in recycling is the waste products containing liquids that are not taken to the aircraft, especially at the airports. When the end user deposits a box that is suitable for recycling, although there is liquid in the box, into these recycling bins, waste recycling is prevented because the liquid in the deposited box affects all the wastes in the bin for recycling. Again, this situation is related to not being able to direct the end user correctly. Another important problem is that when the end user wants to dispose of the waste in their hand, if they see only the plastic, glass, and paper bins around them, they deposit the waste material in their hand into one of the irrelevant bins, especially if they are not conscious enough.

[0007] The waste separation recycling system is disclosed in the utility model application numbered TR2023011679. The invention relates to a waste separation recycling system that allows all kinds of food, plastic, paper, and glass wastes to be practically separated from the balconies through the first waste tube and the second waste tube.

[0008] Patent application numbered TR202018122 discloses the waste raw material matching system and method. Considering cities are getting smarter, this invention relates to a system and method that matches the party that wants to dispose of wastes resulting from natural life and industry or organic and inorganic wastes caused by humans in cities with the facilities and factories that use these wastes as raw materials. Thanks to the invention, the party who wants to dispose of the wastes earns income by selling the wastes, the party using the wastes finds alternative providers in the purchase of raw materials, and the country's economy and nature are contributed by evaluating or transforming the wastes in production.

[0009] In the waste management systems in the above-mentioned applications, there was no mention of an application to classify the wastes within themselves and the reward system for the user after the disposal of the wastes, and they could not offer a solution beyond the present art.

[0010] As a result, a new technology is needed that reduces the carbon footprint, which can overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages, and offers an environmentally-friendly and more livable life with features such as circular economy, sustainability, and prevention of waste.

[0011] Definition of the Invention: This invention is a smart material waste station supported by artificial intelligence, robot, and digital technology, characterized in that it is a new technology that reduces the carbon footprint, offers an environmentally-friendly and more livable life with features such as circular economy, sustainability, and prevention of waste, and encourages the user to send the waste to recycling.

[0012] In order to realize all the objects that will emerge from the above-mentioned and detailed description below, the invention aims to increase the contribution of the end user to the circular economy and sustainability in terms of material waste management, especially in Tiirkiye and then in other world countries, and to increase the effectiveness in the management of material waste.

[0013] The invention is used in public spaces, educational and hospital buildings, common areas of residences, airports, cultural buildings, especially in large and mega-sized public housing buildings such as building entrances, floor halls, common areas.

[0014] With the product of the invention, materials are ensured to be separated more effectively by using robots, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies at the end user level. Thus, with the induction method, the waste management processes of the materials separated correctly in the field and on-site are made more effective (such as recycling-reuse). With the support of robots and artificial intelligence, the effect of materials in more accurate separation and reducing carbon emissions is increased. In addition, thanks to digital technologies, this station, which is planned to be integrated into the digital waste management system, can be used actively at the level of the user and the building enterprise and is suitable for data tracking. With this invention, it is aimed to contribute to the reduction of the carbon footprint.

[0015] This invention aims to create a standardized system (collecting and tracking materials with the same system and category, monitoring and evaluating them on the basis of institutions and organizations, measuring the contribution to the circular economy) in accordance with the "Zero Waste" project initiated by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, especially for Tiirkiye. In this context, the types of waste specified by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change are used. These are paper waste, wood waste, plastic waste, glass waste, composite packaging waste, metal waste, vegetable oil waste, organic waste, electronic waste, and waste battery (Url-4). In public spaces, liquid and water separation is carried out instead of vegetable oil.

[0016] The product of the invention is defined in the material waste bins encountered by the end user with the support of robots and artificial intelligence and digital technologies, and thus, the end user leaves the material they want to dispose of to the relevant area without their decision. The system automatically carries out the separation. The end user, who can follow these types on the display, can also be aware of which materials they can leave in this area. The types of materials left to the system by the end user in a complex state or the types of materials containing more than one type of material on a package can be easily separated by the robot and artificial intelligence technologies of the system.

[0017] The present invention is performed on the end-user interface in a qualified separation according to the material types defined by the relevant administrations. The separation process does not depend on the end user's decision. The species defined to the system using digital technologies are separated with artificial intelligence and separated on-site and at the maximum level using robot support. Thus, the carbon footprint is reduced by starting the separation process before reaching large facilities and contributes to the circular economy.

[0018] The material waste bins of the invention are detailed in the type of material according to the nature of the public space and / or the storage areas in them vary in volume according to the type of public space. This can be detailed and customized during the mass production of the product. Thus, waste management is provided digitally, for example on a hospital basis or airport basis, in the relevant country or province or pilot region. In this way, it can be monitored how much material is wasted or disposed of from the end user, and an active role can be taken in the return of the production or distribution or in the recycling of the material. Separating materials at the end-user level according to the types of materials determined by the relevant country or Tiirkiye enables the digital waste management system to be strengthened throughout the country and data tracking to be made faster / more effective. This contributes to the increase in the efficiency of the circular economy and the faster production of new needs. The active role of the invention in reducing the material and carbon footprint of the end user with the support of QR is automatically calculated by digital systems and can be monitored by the relevant end user, for example in the citizenship system or with a developed waste application interface. In this way, the institution provides a reward on an organization basis or by the relevant official administrations or a certain discount in taxation or invoices, for example. In this way, the incentive for the circular economy is increased.

[0019] Since the present invention will separate wastes according to the types of materials defined in digital systems, the mixed or unsuitable material for the nature of the relevant bin is not included in that bin. This ensures that further separation can be made quickly and effectively. Thus, it contributes to the minimization of storage areas in volume. Different types of materials collected in more than one location are collected in a single station and monitored more accurately and centrally (such as battery-electronic materials-plastic and glass materials in a single station). These stations are monitored by digital systems and a digital material waste network is created on the basis of public spaces. Liquid and material separation of packaging materials with liquids (such as water-filled plastic bottles) is carried out, and the inclusion of liquids and waters in the recycling (material waste management cycle) is contributed. Thus, for example, the waters collected in those institutions / organizations according to their volume can be used as gray water. Following this situation by digital systems allows effective business management and increases the incentive. Thanks to the applications of the end user (by measuring its own contribution), it allows the society to contribute to the sustainable and circular economy by raising awareness in this direction.

[0020] The structural and characteristic features and all the advantages of the product subject to the invention will be understood more clearly with the figures given below and the detailed description with reference to these figures, and therefore the evaluation should be made by taking these figures and detailed description into consideration.

[0021] Description of the Figures:

[0022] The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the features of the invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated, but it is not intended to limit the invention to these particular embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to encompass all alternatives, modifications and equivalents which may be included in the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It should be understood that the details shown have been provided to ensure the demonstration of preferred embodiments of the present invention and shaping of the methods and to provide the most useful and understandable definition of the rules and conceptual features of the invention. The figures are as follows:

[0023] Figure 1. A top view of the smart material waste station subject to the invention.

[0024] Figure 2 A B-B cross-sectional view.

[0025] Figure 3 An A-A cross-sectional view.

[0026] Figure 4 A C-C cross-sectional view.

[0027] The figures that will assist the understanding of this invention are numbered as specified in the enclosed image and their corresponding designations are given below.

[0028] Description of the References:

[0029] 1. Solid waste bin

[0030] 1.1. Glass section

[0031] 1.2. Paper section

[0032] 1.3. Plastic section

[0033] 1.4. Battery section

[0034] 1.5. Electronic section

[0035] 1.6. Composite packaging section

[0036] 1.7. Metal section

[0037] 1.8. Organic section

[0038] 1.9. Other waste section

[0039] 2. Liquid waste bin

[0040] 3. Water waste bin

[0041] 4. Vertical rail

[0042] 5. Horizontal rail

[0043] 6. Digital display

[0044] 7. Liquid channel 8. Water channel

[0045] 9. Material area

[0046] 10. Separation area

[0047] 11. Accumulation area

[0048] A. Separation line

[0049] Detailed Description of the Invention:

[0050] Our system of the invention is basically a solid waste bin (1), liquid waste bin (2), water waste bin (3), vertical rail (4), horizontal rail (5), digital display (6), liquid channel (7), water channel (8), material area (9), separation area (10) and accumulation area (11) containing the glass section (1.1), paper section (1.2), plastic section (1.3), battery section (1.4), electronic section (1.5), composite packaging section (1.6), metal section (1.7), organic section (1.8), other waste section (1.9) parts.

[0051] Our system ensures the separation of glass, paper, plastic, battery, electronic, composite packaging, metal, organic, and all other substances other than said substances. Glass wastes are transferred to the glass section (1.1), paper and its derivatives to the paper section (1.2), plastic wastes to the plastic section (1.3), waste such as batteries and accumulators to the battery section (1.4), electronic wastes to the electronic section (1.5), composite packaging wastes to the composite packaging section (1.6), metal wastes to the metal section (1.7), and organic wastes to the organic section (1.8). Each of these wastes is introduced to the image processor unit in the system and detected by artificial intelligence. The remaining wastes that are not detected are transferred to the other waste section (1.9). Liquid and water wastes other than solid wastes are discharged separately to the liquid waste bin (2) and the water waste bin (3). For example, the water in the plastic bottle filled with water is discharged to the water waste bin (3) and the plastic to be considered as residual is transferred to the plastic section (1.3). Here, the term liquid waste includes all liquid non-water waste.

[0052] The solid waste left in the material area (9) by the user in our invention is primarily kept in the accumulation area (11). Here, the accumulation area (11) acts as a ramp to prevent the stacking of the materials. Then, the solid waste in the accumulation area (11) is scanned and detected by the image processor. If the scanned material is in the material class previously coded to the artificial intelligence, for example, a solid waste paper left in the material area

[0053] (9) and its derivative are sent to the robot arm by the microcontroller and the robot arm takes the paper waste and leaves it in the paper section (1.2). Here, the robot arm moves up and down and back and forward along the separation line (A) in the solid waste separation area

[0054] (10). Said robot arm can be controlled by one or more DC, stepper, or servo motors. The material left in the material area (9) by the user and falling in the accumulation area (11) is not recognized by the image processor if it has not been previously coded to the artificial intelligence, and this waste is taken from the accumulation area (11) and transferred to the other waste section (1.9).

[0055] The occupancy of all waste bins in the body will be determined by laser sensors. Laser sensors placed in certain parts of the solid, liquid and water waste bins will provide information about the occupancy rates in the bins, detect the solid waste or liquid waste coming to the opening and inform the microcontroller by generating a signal that the bin is full. The microcontroller, on the other hand, will transform this signal into a data output and provide the flow of information to the server in the main center with the Wi-Fi module and direct the personnel to empty the bins showing the occupancy in the system subject to the invention. There will be weight sensors at the bases of solid, liquid and water wastes. These weight sensors will provide preliminary information about how many points should be assigned to the person who leaves or discharges the waste. That is to say, the person who sends more of the same waste to the system in terms of weight will get more points. Weight sensors will be used in the determination of this weight. For example, the weight sensor in the plastic section (1.3) containing 1 kg of plastic waste will detect the weight of 100 grams of plastic to be added to this bin and send a signal to the microcontroller. The microcontroller, on the other hand, will transfer the score to be assigned per gram to the smartphone application of the person through the Wi-Fi module. The microcontroller will also be properly coded in order to assign different points for each different item. That is to say, the person who leaves the metal product will be assigned more points than the person who leaves the plastic product. Therefore, the nature of the material itself will also be important here.

[0056] The occupancy rates of the solid, liquid and water wastes in our system, which is the subject of the invention, will be clearly visible on the digital display (6). For the discharge of the wastes in the system, the personnel will see which bin is full and how full it is and will empty the full bin and save time without even looking inside the other bins. Here, the battery section (1.4) and the electronics section (1.5) will be separated from the body horizontally with horizontal rails (5). The remaining solid, liquid and water waste bins will be separated vertically by means of vertical rails (4). The rails will facilitate the separation of the bins from the system without requiring much force. Preferably, the wheels will be located under the bins and will move in relation to the rails.

[0057] Before leaving their waste in the material area (9), the person first scans the QR code on the digital display (6) through the smartphone application, then leaves the material in the material area (9). The waste falling from the material area (9) to the accumulation area (11) is taken with the robot arm and placed in the relevant waste bin. According to the material type and weight of the waste, points are granted to the smartphone application of the person. These points can be converted into money by the person in the future or they can shop in the stores supported by the application in our system.

[0058] In order to simplify the classification of the wastes according to their type and to enable the personnel to understand the waste information more clearly on the digital display (6), the wastes will be separated by the system as organic, water, type 1, and type 2. Since organic wastes will produce bacteria over time, they will mold and cause bad smell. This leads to the conclusion that separate information should be provided about organic wastes. Water wastes will be transported to the infrastructure system of the building or to the existing warehouse in the station and then to the main tanks in the facility and included in the gray water cycle. Type 1 wastes refer to the solid wastes in the sections other than the solid wastes sent to the organic section (1.8) and the other waste section (1.9) defined in the system. In other words, type 1 wastes are in the glass section (1.1), the paper section (1.2), the plastic section (1.3), the battery section (1.4), the electronic section (1.5), the composite packaging section (1.6) and the metal section (1.7). Type 2 wastes are solid wastes sent to the other waste section (1.9). The classification of these wastes will be carried out by the microcontroller.

Claims

CLAIMS1. The invention relates to a smart material waste station that separates glass, paper, plastic, battery, electronic, composite packaging, metal, organic waste, and all other solid waste, liquid waste, and water waste, characterized in that it comprises the following: at least one solid waste bin (1) containing glass section (1.1), paper section (1.2), plastic section (1.3), battery section (1.4), electronic section (1.5), composite packaging section (1.6), metal section (1.7), organic section (1.8) and other waste section (1.9) where the solid waste other than these sections are stored,- the water waste bin (3) where the water waste contained in the solid waste is poured over the water channel (8), liquid waste bin (2) where the non-water liquid waste contained in the solid waste are poured over the liquid channel (7), laser sensor integrated in the bin in each section in the solid waste bin (1), liquid waste bin (2) and water waste bin (3),- weight sensor integrated in the bin in each section of the solid waste bin (1), liquid waste bin (2) and water waste bin (3), digital display (6) where the occupancy rate of each section in the solid waste bin (1) of the personnel is displayed and the QR code is scanned, after scanning the QR code, microcontroller that assigns points to the person who deposits waste according to the weight ratios of the wastes transferred to the solid waste sections in the solid waste bin (1), the liquid waste bin (2) and the water waste bin (3), image processor that classifies solid waste according to their type deposited in the material area (9),- the robot arm that transfers the classified solid waste from the accumulation area (11) to the section to which it belongs by using the separation line (A) over the separation area (10),- Wi-Fi module that transmits information on the occupancy rates of solid waste sections in the solid waste bin (1), liquid waste bin (2) and water waste bin (3) to the main center.

2. A smart material waste station according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a microcontroller that separates the wastes into organic, water, type 1 and type 2 wastes and displays them on the digital display (6).

3. Type 1 wastes according to claim 2, characterized in that they are solid wastes in sections other than the solid waste sent to the organic section (1.8) and the other waste section (1.9) defined in the system.

4. Type 2 wastes according to claim 2, characterized in that they are solid wastes in the other waste section (1.9) defined in the system.

5. A smart material waste station according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a microcontroller that separates the wastes into organic, water, type 1, and type 2 wastes.

6. A smart material waste station according to claim 1, characterized in that it has at least one horizontally positioned horizontal rail (5) that allows the battery section (1.4) and the electronic section (1.5) to be horizontally separated from the solid waste bin (1).

7. A smart material waste station according to claim 1, characterized in that it has at least one vertically positioned vertical rail (4) that allows the remaining sections, except for the battery section (1.4) and the electronic section (1.5), to be separated vertically from the solid waste bin (1) and the liquid waste bin (2) and the water waste bin (3).

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