Blind Hole Remote Sampling Point with Twist-Lock RFID

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current remote sampling points for particle detectors face challenges with installation and removal in various mounting structures, often requiring access to the backside or additional hardware, and lack means for electronic data storage and wireless communication.

Innovation Solution

A blind hole remote sampling point apparatus with a housing, mounting retainer, and RFID device, featuring barbed ribs for secure compression fit and twist-lock mechanism, allowing for easy installation and removal without damaging the structure, and integrated RFID for data storage and retrieval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fasteners or anchors are used to contact the back side of the mounting structure, then the sampling point can be securely mounted, but the application is limited to specified mounting structure thickness and requires access to the back side

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidmounting structure compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of anchoring from the back side, the patent inverts the approach by inserting the sampling point through a blind hole from the front side. The mounting retainer with barbed ribs anchors within the blind hole without requiring back side access, thus resolving the contradiction between mounting security and adaptability to various mounting structure thicknesses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting retainer with barbed ribs is designed to be inserted and anchored within the blind hole of the mounting structure. The barbed ribs expand to engage the walls of the blind hole, creating a nested configuration where the retainer is contained within the mounting structure hole, providing secure mounting without back side access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If one-way insertion compression or back side anchoring is used, then the sampling point can be securely mounted, but it cannot be removed without causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidremovability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting retainer employs dynamic barbed ribs that can expand during insertion to engage the blind hole walls securely, then contract during removal to allow easy extraction. This dynamic behavior enables both secure mounting and easy removal without damage, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the mounting and removal functions into a single reversible insertion/removal operation. The barbed ribs provide both the anchoring mechanism for secure mounting and the release mechanism for easy removal, merging these two previously conflicting functions into one unified system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If fasteners from the face are used for anchoring, then the sampling point can be securely mounted, but additional hardware and labor are required and it may not be aesthetically pleasing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the fastening function from separate external fasteners and integrates it into the mounting retainer itself. The barbed ribs are built-in anchoring elements that provide secure mounting without requiring additional external fasteners, thus reducing device complexity and installation labor while maintaining mounting security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting retainer combines the housing support structure with the anchoring mechanism in a single integrated component. The barbed ribs are formed as part of the retainer structure, merging the support and fastening functions into one element, eliminating the need for separate fasteners and reducing installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If traditional mounting methods are used, then the sampling point can be securely mounted, but there is no means to electronically store and communicate data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoiddata storage capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The sampling point device is enhanced with multi-functionality by integrating an RFID tag that provides electronic data storage and wireless communication capabilities. This allows the device to not only perform its primary mounting and sampling function but also to store and communicate configuration, performance, and diagnostic data, resolving the contradiction between mounting reliability and information retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250003840A1Blind hole remote sampling point for a particle detector

Publication Date: 2025.01.02 ROCKWELL RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT GROUP LLC

AI summary

A blind hole remote sampling point for a particle detector is an all in one remote sample point with integrated RFID technology for storage of data relevant to the remote sample point. It is comprised of two parts to form a compression fit eliminating the need of secondary hardware, making it suitable for practically any mounting structure thickness and blind holes where access to the backside of a mounting structure is inaccessible. The integrated RFID chip permanently stores information electronically.