Virtual Material Sorting for Decentralized Recycling Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The material recycling process is decentralized and inflexible, necessitating a more reliable and flexible approach to manage the increasing need for efficient recycling.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and apparatus for providing a material identifier package that associates product identifiers with material configuration data, enabling decentralized computing environments to optimize recycling processes by virtually sorting and packaging materials based on their configuration, allowing tracking and control across various stages of the recycling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If decentralized recycling processes are used, then flexibility and local adaptability are improved, but process reliability and coordination efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized platform that acts as an intermediary between decentralized recycling facilities. This platform coordinates material flows, matches supply with demand, and ensures process reliability through centralized control while allowing local facilities to maintain their operational flexibility and adaptability.
2Productivity
If physical sorting and packaging of materials are performed, then recycling process completeness is improved, but physical complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates digital replicas (digital twins) of physical materials and their properties. Instead of physically sorting and packaging all materials, the system uses digital models to represent material configurations, enabling virtual sorting and matching processes that reduce physical handling complexity while maintaining complete tracking and processing capability.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive material configuration data is collected, then material identification accuracy is improved, but data management complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-collecting and structuring material configuration data at the source (during product design and manufacturing). Material passports and digital twins are created beforehand, containing all necessary information about material composition and properties. This pre-prepared data is then easily queryable during recycling, maintaining high identification accuracy without time-consuming data collection at the recycling stage.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are computer-implemented methods, systems and apparatuses for operating a product recycling process for recycling of materials contained in products associated with at least one product identifier.