Waste Collection Assistant Device for Production Lines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators face inefficiencies in collecting waste material from multiple production devices in industrial product production systems, as existing methods lack a systematic approach to prioritize and optimize the collection process.

Innovation Solution

A device that selects target production devices based on signal inputs, determines an efficient work order, and indicates the order to the operator, allowing for optimized waste material collection by minimizing movement distance and time, and accommodating real-time adjustments and operator positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If operators collect waste material from multiple production devices without a systematic approach, then they can perform waste collection, but the collection process is inefficient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste collection efficiencyVSAvoidtime for waste collection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting waste accumulation levels at each production device and pre-determining the optimal collection route and sequence before the operator begins waste collection. This eliminates the need for operators to manually assess each device and plan their route, significantly reducing collection time and improving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If operators manually determine the collection sequence without assistance, then they have flexibility in movement, but unnecessary returns and movements occur increasing collection time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunnecessary movement timeVSAvoidoperator flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary device (control device) that acts as a mediator between the production devices and the operator. This intermediary automatically calculates the optimal collection sequence based on waste accumulation levels and device positions, providing guidance to the operator while maintaining operational simplicity. The operator follows the suggested route, eliminating unnecessary movements without losing the ability to adapt if needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If waste material is not collected timely from production devices, then production can continue uninterrupted, but production stoppages may occur due to excessive waste accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction continuityVSAvoidwaste collection frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where each production device continuously monitors its own waste accumulation level and sends this information to the control device. The control device processes this feedback, determines when waste collection is necessary, and guides the operator accordingly. This ensures waste is collected timely to prevent production stoppages while optimizing collection frequency based on actual needs rather than fixed schedules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3144761B1Device that assists worker who collects waste material from plurality of production devices
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 FUJI CORP
  • EP3144761B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3144761B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3144761B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An assisting device that assists an operator to collect waste material generated by multiple production devices of a production line for industrial products. This assisting device is provided with a selecting means that selects work target production devices, from which an operator should collect waste material, from among the multiple production devices, based on a signal sent from each of the production devices; an order determining means that determines at least a portion of a work order in which the operator should collect waste material of the work target production devices selected by the selecting means; and an indicating means that indicates to the operator at least a portion of the work order determined by the order determining means.