Aircraft cabin oxygen generator and RFID tag device for attachment to its surface

Abstract

The utility model discloses an aircraft passenger cabin oxygen generator and RFID label device for attaching on its surface, RFID label device includes the label base of board shape, the RFID chip and UHF antenna of arrangement on label base, UHF antenna forms the radio frequency resonant circuit electrically connected to RFID chip, wherein, the radio frequency resonant circuit has the thermal fuse element, the thermal fuse element is configured to make the radio frequency resonant circuit form closed loop under normal temperature, and when being above predetermined temperature threshold, fuse to make the radio frequency resonant circuit form open circuit, wherein, the temperature threshold is set below the activation reaction temperature of aircraft passenger cabin oxygen generator. The utility model can conveniently and efficiently, accurately and timely detect the release state of aircraft passenger cabin oxygen generator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the status monitoring of an aircraft cabin oxygen generator in civil aircraft, and more particularly to an aircraft cabin oxygen generator and an RFID tag device for attaching to its surface. Background Technology

[0002] Aviation maintenance refers to the maintenance of time control systems to ensure the aircraft is in a safe condition and prevents accidents caused by time-related factors. Time control systems refer to components or systems that must undergo corresponding functional checks or tests upon their expiration date. Inspecting time control systems is tedious and repetitive work, requiring manual verification of large amounts of information and manual recording; in fact, it may be necessary to disassemble each system individually when maintaining oxygen generators. Furthermore, to prevent time control systems from exceeding their expiration date, they need to be replaced prematurely, which indirectly wastes their value. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, as a non-contact automatic identification technology, uses radio frequency signals for communication and can simultaneously identify multiple objects. It is widely used in airline safety protection time control systems, such as life vests, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers. Oxygen generators are widely used emergency equipment installed in the passenger service panel above the aircraft seats to provide oxygen to passengers in emergencies. Their main principle is to generate oxygen through the mixing of chemical substances, producing high temperatures during the process (up to approximately 250 degrees Celsius during operation). They are non-reusable and must be replaced once used, requiring regular inspection.

[0003] In airborne equipment, oxygen generators in aircraft cabins are disposable emergency devices. Monitoring their operational status (release status) is crucial, and this monitoring differs from that of other time-sensitive devices. Existing solutions for in-situ monitoring or expiration date monitoring cannot be used to detect the operational status of oxygen generators; that is, they cannot determine whether the generator has been used to ascertain whether replacement is necessary.

[0004] Therefore, current checks on the condition of aircraft cabin oxygen generators, including whether replacement is needed, typically require physically opening each cover for inspection, which is inefficient. Existing technology lacks a non-invasive, efficient, convenient, and relatively low-cost solution for monitoring the operational status of aircraft cabin oxygen generators. This results in low maintenance efficiency, potential omissions, and potential safety hazards.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a new solution that can efficiently detect or check the operational status of oxygen generators in aircraft cabins, in order to at least partially alleviate or resolve the aforementioned problems and deficiencies of existing solutions. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One objective of this disclosure is to provide an aircraft cabin oxygen generator and an RFID tag device for attaching to its surface in order to overcome at least some of the aforementioned deficiencies of existing solutions.

[0007] This disclosure provides an RFID tag device for attaching to the surface of an aircraft cabin oxygen generator. The RFID tag device includes a plate-shaped tag substrate, an RFID chip disposed on the tag substrate, and a UHF antenna. The UHF antenna forms a radio frequency resonant circuit electrically connected to the RFID chip. The radio frequency resonant circuit is characterized in that it has a thermally fused element configured to form a closed circuit at room temperature and to melt and open the radio frequency resonant circuit when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold. The temperature threshold is set to be below the activation reaction temperature of the aircraft cabin oxygen generator.

[0008] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the aircraft cabin oxygen generator is a chemical oxygen generator, the activation reaction temperature of the chemical oxygen generator is between 200°C and 280°C, and the temperature threshold is set between 100°C and 150°C.

[0009] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the thermal fuse element is a thermal fuse wire, the two ends of which are electrically connected to two breaks in the radio frequency resonant circuit by welding or conductive adhesive, thereby enabling the radio frequency resonant circuit to conduct. In some embodiments, the thermal fuse wire is made of a tin-bismuth alloy or a lead-tin alloy. In other alternative embodiments, the thermal fuse wire may also be made of a phase change polymer material or a thermally fusible coating material.

[0010] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the label substrate is made of a flexible, heat-resistant material.

[0011] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the flexible heat-resistant material is a polyimide film or flame-retardant PVC.

[0012] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the tag substrate is strip-shaped, the thermally fused element is attached to the front side of the first end of the tag substrate, and the RFID tag device further includes thermally conductive adhesive attached to the back side of the first end of the tag substrate, the thermally conductive adhesive being adhered to the surface area of ​​the aircraft cabin oxygen generator that is at a high temperature when activated.

[0013] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the label substrate has a recess formed at a first end to receive and retain the thermally fused element, the thickness of which does not exceed 60% of the thickness of the label substrate at other locations.

[0014] This disclosure provides an aircraft cabin oxygen generator, which includes an RFID tag device as described above, wherein the RFID tag device is affixed and fixed to the aircraft cabin oxygen generator such that the thermal fuse element is close to the surface area of ​​the aircraft cabin oxygen generator that is at a high temperature when activated.

[0015] Based on common knowledge in the field, the above-mentioned preferred conditions can be combined arbitrarily to obtain various preferred embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] The positive and progressive effects of this disclosure are as follows:

[0017] The present disclosure provides a non-invasive solution for detecting the operational status of an aircraft cabin oxygen generator and an RFID tag device for attaching to its surface. This solution is efficient, convenient to implement, and has a relatively low overall cost. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 A top view schematic diagram of an RFID tag device for attaching to the surface of an oxygen generator in an aircraft cabin, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown.

[0019] Figure 2 A side view schematic diagram of an RFID tag device according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0020] Figure 3 The diagram illustrates an RFID tag device according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure affixed to a specific location on the outer surface of an oxygen generator.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0022] 1: Label base

[0023] 11: First end

[0024] 12: Thermal conductive adhesive

[0025] 13: concave part

[0026] 2: RFID chip

[0027] 3: Radio Frequency Resonant Circuit

[0028] 4: Thermal fuse

[0029] 5: Oxygen generator Detailed Implementation

[0030] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is exemplary and not intended to limit the present invention. Any other similar situations also fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0031] In the following detailed description, directional terms such as "left," "right," "up," "down," "front," and "back" are used with reference to the directions described in the accompanying drawings. Components of embodiments of this invention can be positioned in a variety of different orientations; the directional terms are for illustrative purposes and not restrictive.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, an RFID tag device is used to attach to the surface of an aircraft cabin oxygen generator 5 to achieve a solution that can efficiently detect or inspect the operational status of the aircraft cabin oxygen generator 5.

[0033] refer to Figure 1-3 As shown, the RFID tag device includes a plate-shaped tag substrate 1, an RFID chip 2 disposed on the tag substrate 1, and a UHF antenna. The UHF antenna forms a radio frequency resonant circuit 3 electrically connected to the RFID chip 2. The radio frequency resonant circuit 3 is characterized by having a thermal fuse element 4, which is configured to form a closed circuit in the radio frequency resonant circuit 3 at room temperature and to melt and break when the temperature is above a predetermined temperature threshold, thereby forming an open circuit in the radio frequency resonant circuit 3. The temperature threshold is set to be lower than the activation reaction temperature of the oxygen generator 5 in the aircraft cabin.

[0034] According to some preferred embodiments of this disclosure, the aircraft cabin oxygen generator 5 is a chemical oxygen generator 5, the activation reaction temperature of which is between 200°C and 280°C, and the temperature threshold is set between 100°C and 150°C. It is understood that the melting temperature of the thermal fuse 4 is set between 100°C and 150°C, which is lower than the operating temperature (approximately 250°C) at which the chemical oxygen generator 5 releases oxygen, and this operating temperature is much higher than the normal cabin temperature.

[0035] For example, the compressed air generated by the aircraft cabin oxygen generator 5 is typically at a maximum relative pressure of 7 bar and a maximum temperature of 400°C. The compressed air is then cooled by a heat exchanger and filtered before entering the onboard oxygen generation system. In this example, the thermal fuse element 4 is arranged close to or attached to the generator housing near the location where the compressed air is generated.

[0036] According to some preferred embodiments of this disclosure, the thermal fuse element 4 is a thermal fuse wire, and the two ends of the thermal fuse wire are electrically connected to the two breaks of the radio frequency resonant circuit 3 by welding or conductive adhesive, thereby making the radio frequency resonant circuit 3 conductive.

[0037] According to some preferred embodiments of this disclosure, the label substrate 1 is made of a flexible, heat-resistant material. According to some preferred embodiments of this disclosure, the flexible, heat-resistant material is a polyimide film or flame-retardant PVC.

[0038] For example, a flame-retardant PVC label substrate 1 can support and insulate a UHF antenna and an RFID chip 2. The antenna can be fabricated on the substrate surface using conductive ink printing or metal foil etching to form the required radio frequency resonant circuit 3. For instance, a UHF band antenna conductor pattern (such as a dipole antenna or patch antenna) can be fabricated on the substrate, with a narrow-necked fusible interposer region formed at one point. A hot-melt wire (fuse element) is connected at this point; initially, the fuse conducts through the antenna break, closing the entire antenna circuit. The fuse element can be made of a low-melting-point metal wire / alloy (e.g., tin-bismuth alloy or lead-tin alloy), a phase change polymer material (e.g., hot-melt resin or wax material), or a hot-melt coating material (fusible alloy coating or conductive ink coating). The two ends of the fuse can be connected to the antenna conductor by welding or conductive adhesive to maintain good electrical contact.

[0039] It should be understood that the polyimide film material, flame-retardant PVC material, tin-bismuth alloy, lead-tin alloy, hot-melt resin, wax material, fusible alloy coating, and conductive ink coating mentioned in the above description are all existing materials, and the properties of these materials are particularly suitable for the substrate portion of the RFID tag device of this disclosure.

[0040] The RFID chip 2 can be soldered to the antenna feed point or flip-chip mounted, and electrically connected to the UHF antenna. The chip can be a passive RFID chip 2 suitable for aviation environments, which can be powered and communicated by the reader signal field when the antenna is intact. The entire RFID tag is fixed to the components of the oxygen generator 5 via an adhesive layer. The tag is attached to the surface of the oxygen generator 5 housing near the oxygen-generating heat source, and positioned using double-sided tape, ensuring the fusible element is as close as possible to the location where temperature monitoring is required. When the oxygen generator 5 is not activated, the RFID tag antenna is intact, the fusible element remains conductive, and the tag functions normally.

[0041] According to some further preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, the tag substrate 1 is strip-shaped, the thermally fused element 4 is attached to the front of the first end 11 of the tag substrate 1, and the RFID tag device also includes thermally conductive adhesive 12 (e.g., thermally conductive double-sided tape) attached to the back of the first end 11 of the tag substrate 1. The thermally conductive adhesive 12 is attached to the surface area of ​​the aircraft cabin oxygen generator 5 that is at a high temperature when activated.

[0042] According to some further preferred embodiments of this disclosure, the label substrate 1 has a recess 13 formed at its first end 11 to accommodate and hold the thermally fused element 4, the thickness of which does not exceed 60% of the thickness of other locations on the label substrate 1. This allows the thermally fused element 4 to be positioned closer to the surface of the oxygen generator 5 housing near the oxygen-generating heat source.

[0043] The working principle of the RFID tag device according to the above preferred embodiment of this disclosure is roughly as follows. The state changes of the RFID tag before and after the use of the oxygen generator 5 (i.e., before the fuse is triggered) are compared as follows: Before the fuse is triggered, the tag is in its intact state. At this time, the tag antenna conductor is continuous, the thermal fuse element 4 connects the two ends of the antenna into a closed loop, and the RFID chip 2 is well coupled to the antenna. In the intact state, the tag's radio frequency electromagnetic characteristics are normal, resonantly matched with the reader antenna, and can be activated and read from a distance. The signal strength and reading distance both meet the design requirements.

[0044] The high temperature generated when oxygen generator 5 releases oxygen causes the thermal fuse to melt and break, resulting in a physical gap in the antenna circuit at the corresponding location. This breaks the antenna circuit of RFID chip 2 into an open circuit, and the chip no longer forms a complete closed circuit with the antenna. The RF performance of the tag changes significantly, the resonant peak disappears or shifts severely, and the equivalent gain and Q value of the antenna decrease significantly. RFID chip 2 cannot obtain enough energy from the reader and becomes unreadable or its status bit changes. Therefore, by detecting whether the tag can still be read and its status bit, it is easy to determine whether the corresponding oxygen generator 5 has been released and triggered. That is, if the tag can be read and the status bit has not changed, it means that the oxygen generator 5 is not in use; if it cannot be read or the status bit has changed, it means that the oxygen generator 5 has released oxygen and needs to be replaced.

[0045] According to an application example of this disclosure, a UCODE G2iM+ chip is used as the RFID chip 2, in conjunction with an alloy material thermal fuse. Its melting point is set between 100℃ and 150℃, lower than the activation reaction temperature of the chemical oxygen generator 5 (approximately 250℃), but much higher than the normal cabin temperature. When the tag is intact, at least one of the two high-order bits (UMI / XI) of the chip's EPC area is 1 (typically 0x4040 / 0x8040 / 0xC040). When the oxygen generator 5 releases and generates high temperatures, the thermal fuse opens the antenna, destroying the tag's readability. The PC word degrades to 0x0040 (UMI=0, XI=0) or the entire tag becomes unreadable. The system uniformly determines "PC=0x0040 or unreadable" as the released state, thus achieving non-invasive status identification (inspection) of the chemical oxygen generator 5.

[0046] The embodiments described above based on this disclosure have the following main technical advantages:

[0047] 1) High-efficiency inspection: This solution uses improved RFID tags, which, in addition to existing on-site and expiration date detection, can also detect the operational status of oxygen generators without contact. Compared to the traditional physical inspection method of opening each cover one by one, the improved RFID technology can significantly shorten the inspection time. A complete machine inspection only takes about 2 minutes, improving efficiency by 98% and significantly improving the operational efficiency of airlines.

[0048] 2) High accuracy: The improved RFID tag embeds a thermal fuse element into the traditional RFID tag. When the oxygen generator is activated, the high temperature changes the state of the thermal fuse element, causing the RFID tag reading to change. This accurately identifies oxygen generators in use, avoiding misjudgments and omissions that may occur during manual inspection, ensuring that all equipment is always in a usable state and improving flight safety.

[0049] 3) Non-invasive inspection: The thermally fused RFID tag design eliminates the need to open the passenger service panel during inspection, reducing interference and wear on the cabin's internal structure and lowering maintenance costs. This non-invasive inspection method also avoids the potential risks associated with frequent disassembly and reassembly.

[0050] 4) Full Lifecycle Management: This solution allows for further database integration, linking each RFID tag to its corresponding oxygen generator equipment number, installation location, production batch, and expiration date, enabling full lifecycle management of the equipment. The management system features batch scanning and data import / export capabilities, automatically analyzes test data, and displays a list of equipment requiring replacement, ensuring traceability of maintenance operations.

[0051] 5) High compatibility: This solution can be integrated with existing RFID technology and is suitable for airlines that have already deployed RFID. This means that the inspection of oxygen generator release status can be embedded into the existing inspection process without additional inspection steps, further simplifying the operation. In summary, this solution has the advantages of high efficiency, accuracy, non-intrusiveness, and full lifecycle management, which can significantly improve airline operational efficiency and ensure flight safety.

[0052] While specific embodiments of this utility model have been described above, those skilled in the art should understand that these are merely illustrative examples, and the scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of this utility model, but all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. An RFID tag device for attaching to the surface of an oxygen generator in an aircraft cabin, the RFID tag device comprising a plate-shaped tag substrate, an RFID chip disposed on the tag substrate, and a UHF antenna, the UHF antenna forming a radio frequency resonant circuit electrically connected to the RFID chip, characterized in that, The radio frequency resonant circuit has a thermal fuse element configured to form a closed loop at room temperature and to melt and open the radio frequency resonant circuit when the temperature is above a predetermined temperature threshold, wherein the temperature threshold is set below the activation reaction temperature of the aircraft cabin oxygen generator.

2. The RFID tag device for attaching to the surface of an oxygen generator in an aircraft cabin as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The aircraft cabin oxygen generator is a chemical oxygen generator, and the activation reaction temperature of the chemical oxygen generator is between 200℃ and 280℃, while the temperature threshold is set between 100℃ and 150℃.

3. The RFID tag device for attaching to the surface of an oxygen generator in an aircraft cabin as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The thermal fuse element is a thermal fuse wire. The two ends of the thermal fuse wire are electrically connected to the two breaks of the radio frequency resonant circuit by welding or conductive adhesive, thereby making the radio frequency resonant circuit conductive.

4. The RFID tag device for attaching to the surface of an oxygen generator in an aircraft cabin as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The hot melt wire is made of tin-bismuth alloy or lead-tin alloy.

5. The RFID tag device for attaching to the surface of an oxygen generator in an aircraft cabin as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The hot melt wire is made of phase change polymer material or hot melt coating material.

6. The RFID tag device for attaching to the surface of an oxygen generator in an aircraft cabin as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The label substrate is made of a flexible, heat-resistant material.

7. The RFID tag device for attaching to the surface of an oxygen generator in an aircraft cabin as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The flexible heat-resistant material is a polyimide film or flame-retardant PVC.

8. The RFID tag device for attaching to the surface of an oxygen generator in an aircraft cabin as described in any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The tag substrate is strip-shaped, and the thermally fused element is attached to the front of the first end of the tag substrate. The RFID tag device also includes thermally conductive adhesive attached to the back of the first end of the tag substrate. The thermally conductive adhesive is adhered to the surface area of ​​the aircraft cabin oxygen generator that is at a high temperature when activated.

9. The RFID tag device for attaching to the surface of an oxygen generator in an aircraft cabin as described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The label substrate has a recess formed at its first end to accommodate and retain the thermally fused element, the thickness of which does not exceed 60% of the thickness of the label substrate at other locations.

10. An aircraft cabin oxygen generator, said aircraft cabin oxygen generator comprising an RFID tag device as described in any one of claims 1-9, wherein, The RFID tag device is affixed and fixed to the aircraft cabin oxygen generator so that the thermal fuse element is close to the surface area of ​​the aircraft cabin oxygen generator that is at a high temperature when activated.

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