Modular Product Circulation Method for Upgrading and Extending Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for promoting the circular economy, such as those described in Patent Literature 1, fail to achieve simultaneous improvement in product value, extended utilization period, and promotion of article circulation, making it difficult to meet these goals in parallel.
Innovation Solution
A product circulation method involving the removal and replacement of modules, where the new module has improved value compared to the old one, completed through article circulation processes like reuse, repair, or remanufacturing, from either the same or different products, to upgrade the product and extend its life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional facility management methods are used to monitor and maintain combustion facilities, then operational reliability is maintained, but product value improvement and article circulation promotion are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The combustion facility is divided into multiple replaceable modules (burner module, heat exchanger module, control module, etc.), allowing individual modules to be upgraded, repaired, or circulated independently while maintaining overall system reliability. This segmentation enables selective improvement of product value without compromising operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from traditional end-of-life disposal to a modular circulation model where modules can be dynamically reassigned, repaired, or upgraded based on their remaining value and performance parameters. This enables continuous adaptation and improvement of product value while maintaining reliability through controlled parameter changes in module utilization.
2Manufacturing precision
If modules are replaced with new high-value modules, then product value is improved, but article circulation is not promoted
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding modules after their primary service life, the system recovers them through a structured circulation process involving collection, assessment, repair/remanufacturing, and reassignment to appropriate applications. This enables continuous utilization of modules across multiple product life cycles, promoting article circulation while maintaining product value through systematic recovery and regeneration.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation system enables self-service through automated module tracking, condition monitoring, and intelligent reassignment. Modules automatically return to the circulation pool upon completion of their service life, and the system autonomously matches them with suitable new applications based on their remaining capabilities, reducing manual intervention and promoting continuous circulation.
3Loss of substance
If modules are collected and stored for future use, then article circulation is promoted, but storage costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation system dynamically adjusts module allocation based on real-time demand, condition, and suitability rather than relying on static storage. Modules are actively circulated between different products and applications based on their current state and performance characteristics, reducing the need for extensive storage infrastructure and simplifying management through dynamic optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary circulation management layer that coordinates module flow between multiple products and users. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of tracking, assessing, and reassigning modules, transforming a complex many-to-many circulation problem into a manageable centralized coordination system that reduces overall system complexity.
4Productivity
If comprehensive module tracking and management is implemented, then product circulation efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Modules are equipped with embedded identifiers and sensors that automatically track their own location, condition, and service history. This self-service tracking capability eliminates the need for complex manual management systems, as modules autonomously provide their own status information to the circulation system, improving efficiency while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation system implements continuous feedback loops where module performance data, condition information, and circulation history are automatically collected and used to optimize future assignments. This feedback mechanism enables intelligent decision-making for module reassignment and maintenance scheduling, improving circulation efficiency through data-driven optimization without requiring complex manual management.
Data Source
AI summary
Aim for early promotion of a circular economy. After the start of use of a product including a plurality of modules, a module to be removed included in the product is replaced with a new module (a module of which a value has improved in a predetermined product value item compared to the module to be removed). Note that the new module is a module completed by article circulation of a module removed from the product or another product.