Electronic Component Recovery with Automated Reconditioning and Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to provide an automated system for recovering entire electronic components from obsolete electronic boards, despite the potential for reusing high-cost components and the environmental need to separate toxic substances from electronic waste.
Innovation Solution
An automated system comprising a recognition and classification station, disassembly and sorting station, reconditioning station, and testing station, utilizing an electronic vision system with a neural network for component identification, mechanical and chemical disassembly, and automated testing equipment to recover and verify functional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated systems are used for recovering valuable materials from electronic waste, then productivity is improved, but only material recovery is achieved without component reconditioning capability
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system is designed to perform multiple functions: recognition of valuable components, disassembly from circuit boards, reconditioning through cleaning and soldering bubble reconstruction, and functional testing. This multi-functional approach enables the system to not only recover materials but also restore entire electronic components to working condition, resolving the limitation of prior art that could only perform material recovery
2Reliability
If manual disassembly and reconditioning is performed, then component quality is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to labor-intensive processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs automated recognition using vision systems and neural networks to identify valuable components, automated disassembly mechanisms to separate components from boards, automated reconditioning equipment to clean and reconstruct soldering bubbles, and automated testing equipment to verify functionality. This end-to-end automation maintains high component quality while dramatically increasing processing speed and productivity compared to manual methods
3Adaptability or versatility
If electronic components are recovered and reconditioned, then resource utilization is improved, but environmental harm from toxic substances persists if proper separation is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system first performs recognition and classification of valuable electronic components on circuit boards, then uses automated disassembly to separate these components from the board structure. This segmentation approach isolates valuable components containing toxic substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium from the waste board material, enabling proper disposal of toxic elements while preserving and reconditioning valuable components for reuse, thus addressing both resource utilization and environmental concerns
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the efficient recovery and reconditioning of valuable electronic components like FPGA and microcontrollers, ensuring their functionality and environmental safety by separating and testing components before reuse.
Implementation Method 1
The recognition and classification station comprises an electronic vision system
Implementation Method 2
The disassembly and sorting station comprises heating means arranged to carry out the disassembly of the electronic components
Implementation Method 3
devices for carrying out chemical attacks, arranged to carry out the disassembly of the electronic components
Data Source
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AI summary
Electronic component selection and recovery system (100), comprising the following stations: - a recognition and classification station (110), arranged to examine a plurality of waste electronic boards (C) identifying one or more valuable electronic components (E) to be reconditioned; - a disassembly and sorting station (120) arranged to disassemble said electronic components (E) from said waste electronic boards (C) and separate them therefrom; - a reconditioning station (130) arranged to recondition said electronic components (E), thus obtaining reconditioned electronic components (R); - a testing station (140) arranged to verify the functionality of said reconditioned electronic components (R) before new entry into a production cycle.