Component Authenticity Marker with Use Indicator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods fail to effectively distinguish between new and used components, particularly in industrial machines, where counterfeit used parts are often re-sold or reused, leading to financial losses and quality issues, and existing solutions require secure networked databases or individual numbering.
Innovation Solution
A component with a carrier material containing an authenticity marker and a use indicator, where the use indicator changes irreversibly with use, allowing differentiation between new and used parts without individual numbering or networked data management, using photochemical and photophysical characteristics that can be measured to prevent reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual numbering with networked database is used to track components, then authenticity verification is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tracking functionality from complex networked systems and embeds it directly into the component itself through the use indicator that changes with use. This eliminates the need for external databases and individual numbering systems while maintaining reliable tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The component performs its own tracking and authentication functions through the self-changing use indicator that records usage autonomously. The indicator serves both as an authenticity marker and a usage tracker without requiring external system support, enabling the component to verify itself.
2Measurement precision
If physical wear indicators are used to detect component use, then wear detection is improved, but reliability decreases because worn parts may still be functional
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from physical wear dimensions to optical properties. The use indicator changes its optical characteristics (color, fluorescence, absorbance) in response to usage conditions, providing a reliable indication of component status that is not dependent on physical wear thresholds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical wear measurement with optical detection. Instead of measuring physical degradation, the system uses optical properties of the use indicator to detect and quantify component usage, eliminating the need to correlate physical wear with functional status.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable authentication and tracking of component use, preventing the fitting of used parts and ensuring only new genuine components are used, without the need for secure databases or individual numbering, by integrating measurable characteristics that change with use, thus ensuring component integrity and operational safety.
Implementation Method 1
The use indicator includes a measurable characteristic which changes irreversibly, continuously or discontinuously, as a result of measuring that characteristic of the use indicator and/or of the authenticity marker itself
Implementation Method 2
measurable characteristics which changes irreversibly, continuously or discontinuously, as a result of measuring that characteristic of the use indicator and/or of the authenticity marker itself
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a component on and/or in which is disposed substantially inseparably a carrier material which contains (i) an authenticity marker marker for detecting the authenticity of the component and (ii) a use indicator for detecting the use of the component; and a method of checking a corresponding component, and also a system or machine containing such a component.