Wolfgang Grimm

Sensor-based data recording of use conditions for product takeback

Information on product properties and the history of product use are essential for higher levels of product recovery like the reuse of components or remanufacturing. These product recovery options are economically more attractive than materials recycling. In this paper, the ISPR (Information System for Product Recovery) is proposed. Its key component is an electronic device, the so-called EDL (Electronic Data Log), which is integrated in a product to record and store data strongly correlated with the degradation of components during the use stage of a product. The data recorded and processed during the use stage are retrieved and analyzed by the ISPR when the product is returned. The objectives for the development of the EDL, its implementation and its economical efficiency are discussed in detail.

Integrating product takeback and technical service

Product service and product takeback are often interrelated, as the reclamation of parts from end-of-life products is a low-cost alternative for obtaining spares for product repair. In this paper, we outline a concept for the integration of product repair and product takeback. We show that the replacement of a large share of conventional repairs with remanufacturing and reconditioning would result in a higher service level in product repair, and a significantly improved financial performance in both product takeback and product repair. The concept outlined in this paper could be a financially and environmentally sustainable solution for high return volumes in product takeback for a variety of electromechanical and electronic products. Low-cost alternatives to new products could become available on the market through the offering of remanufactured and reconditioned products with the same warranty as newly manufactured products. This extends the purchase options for consumers from simply getting a defective product repaired and buying a new product.

Sensor-based data recording for recycling: A low-cost technology for embedded product self-identification and status reporting

Publisher Summary Integrated electronic data log (EDL), which is used in electric motors, stores data obtained from sensors indicating the degradation of electronic and electromechanical components in the motors. This product-integrated device is used to measure, compute, and store parameters correlated with the degradation of an electric motor aiming at the reuse of electric motors and other components of electromechanical end-of-life (EOL) products. The EDL functionality includes counting the number of starts and stops of the motor; storing the runtime in each individual use cycle, as well as the accumulated runtime; and classifying and evaluating the recorded data. Data stored in the EDL is transmitted to a reader using a low-cost, low-current LED, which is located at an easily accessible part of the products housing. Every time the on/off switch of the product is pressed, the data set stored in the EDL is sent via the LED at a rate of 9,600 baud, indicated by a short flashing of the LED.

Arbeitsraumüberwachung mit Ultraschall-Sensorarrays

Mit der Zunahme der Automatisierung mechanischer Vorgange durch die Robotik im direkten Interaktionsbereich des Menschen gewinnen auch Verfahren zum sicherheitstechnischen Schutz des Menschen und zur Erkennung moglicher Gefahrensituationen an Bedeutung. Dieser Beitrag beschreibt ein Verfahren zur Arbeitsraumuberwachung mit Hilfe einer Anordnung mehrerer Ultraschallsensoren, die in einem sehr weiten Winkelbereich detektieren konnen. Die im Pulsecho-Betrieb arbeitenden Sensoren liefern, jeder fur sich, zwar sehr zuverlassige Informationen uber die Entfernung zwischen detektiertem Objekt und Sensor, die Winkellage der Objekte kann jedoch innerhalb des Detektionsbereiches nicht bestimmt werden. Eine gleichzeitige Auswertung der von verschiedenen Sensoren des Arrays gesendeten Pulse durch Kreuzechoauswertung ermoglicht eine hinreichend genaue Ermittlung der raumlichen Lage von Objekten. Die Detektion wird mit MAP-Schatzverfahren fur die Objektlage und -erkennungswahrscheinlichkeit durchgefuhrt. Die Funktion der diskutierten Verfahren wird am Beispiel einer Arbeitsraumuberwachung eines autonomen Betankungsroboters nachgewiesen.