Conveyor Slat RFID Tracking and Latching Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyor systems face challenges in timely detection and handling of dislodged conveyor shoes and pins, leading to package mishandling and significant downtime due to the difficulty in identifying and correcting missing shoe and pin issues.
Innovation Solution
Implementing 'smart shoe' technology with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for wireless tracking and identification of conveyor shoes and pins, allowing for real-time monitoring and control of conveyor operations, along with a system for secure attachment and easy removal of slats using a latching mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional conveyor systems operate without smart detection technology, then the system structure remains simple, but timely detection of dislodged shoes and pins becomes challenging, leading to package mishandling and significant downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical detection methods with RFID (radio frequency identification) technology. RFID tags are attached to shoes and pins, allowing wireless, non-contact detection of their presence and status on the conveyor system. This eliminates the need for complex mechanical sensors and switches while providing reliable real-time monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces RFID tags as intermediary objects that carry identification information for shoes and pins. These tags act as mediators between the physical components and the detection system, enabling the controller to identify and track individual components without direct mechanical contact or complex sensing infrastructure.
2Loss of time
If manual inspection methods are used to detect missing shoes and pins, then the detection system remains simple, but the time required to identify and correct issues increases significantly, causing operational downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-monitoring and self-diagnosis capabilities. RFID tags continuously transmit their status, and the controller automatically detects missing or dislodged shoes and pins without human intervention. The system can identify problems in real-time and even present the problematic slat at a convenient location for maintenance, eliminating the need for manual inspection throughout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where RFID tags continuously report the status of shoes and pins to the controller. The controller processes this information and provides real-time feedback about system health, enabling immediate detection and response to issues. This continuous feedback loop eliminates the delays associated with manual inspection schedules.
3Ease of repair
If slats are frequently removed and reinstalled for shoe and pin maintenance, then component replacement can be performed, but industry downtime for such removal and installation becomes very costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and identification of problematic shoes and pins before they cause failures. By continuously monitoring RFID tag status, the system can identify components that need replacement in advance and present the affected slats at convenient maintenance locations, allowing repairs to be scheduled during natural downtime rather than causing unplanned stoppages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the detection and identification functions from the physical shoe and pin components themselves by attaching RFID tags. This allows the status information to be separated from the mechanical components, enabling the controller to identify issues without needing to physically inspect or remove components, thereby reducing maintenance downtime.
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
Enhances operational efficiency by enabling accurate detection and correction of missing shoes and pins, reducing downtime and improving conveyor system reliability through real-time monitoring and autonomous control.
Implementation Method 1
a circuit including a radio frequency transceiver transmitting information uniquely associated with the shoe
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for conveyor operation and maintenance that employ one or both of a “smart shoe” technology where one or more conveyor shoes incorporate features, such as an RFID tag, and a “missing pin detection” technology where one or more pin components of conveyor shoes incorporate features, such as an RFID tag, allowing selective wireless tracking and identification capability. A conveyor system comprises a shoe management system allowing interactions directly with one or more RFID readers, which can detect, store and/or monitor information associated with “smart shoe” and/or “missing pin detection” RFID tags, where interface between this application and the reader can be implemented via a socket interface. System and method also or optionally provide for unique slat installation and removal.