Crane Weight Detection Using RFID Tags
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weight detection systems for cranes face challenges in accurately and stably detecting weight mounting conditions due to complex installations, positional displacements, and difficulty in detecting multiple weights, leading to potential erroneous capability settings and complicated detection structures.
Innovation Solution
A weight detecting apparatus using RFID tags with ID information on weights and a reader for wireless communication, allowing easy installation and accurate detection of weight mounting conditions, including number, position, and mass, without the need for physical constraints or additional transmission devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a proximity switch or limiting switch is used to detect weight presence, then the detection structure becomes simple, but the installation becomes troublesome and positional displacement occurs due to vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based switches (proximity switch, limiting switch) with a wireless RFID detection system. The RFID reader detects weight information wirelessly without physical contact, eliminating mechanical wear and positional displacement issues while maintaining simple detection structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces RFID tags as intermediaries attached to weights. These tags store weight information and communicate wirelessly with the RFID reader, enabling reliable detection without direct mechanical coupling between the detector and weight, thus avoiding vibration-induced displacement.
2Device complexity
If a switch is used to detect weight presence, then the detection structure is simple, but it cannot detect multiple factors such as number of weights, position, and weight of each individual weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the RFID detection system multi-functional by enabling it to detect multiple factors simultaneously: presence/absence of weights, number of weights, position of each weight, and weight of individual weights. This single system replaces multiple separate detection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses RFID tags as information carriers that store multiple weight parameters. By reading these tags, the system obtains comprehensive weight information without requiring complex mechanical detection structures for each parameter.
3Measurement precision
If traditional detection methods are used for weights on the lower traveling body, then detection can be performed, but additional transmission devices like slip rings are required, making the detection structure complicated and difficult to retrofit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical transmission devices (slip rings) with wireless RFID communication. The RFID reader on the upper rotating body reads tags on lower traveling body weights wirelessly, eliminating the need for physical transmission connections across the rotation joint, thus simplifying the structure and enabling easy retrofitting.
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 stable and high-accuracy detection of weight mounting conditions, simplifies the detection structure, and prevents erroneous capability settings by transmitting information directly to the overload preventing apparatus, facilitating reliable overload prevention operations and retrofitting.
Implementation Method 1
mounting conditions of the weight are detected by wireless communications between the ID reader and the ID information holding medium
Data Source
AI summary
A weight detecting apparatus for a crane includes a base machine comprising a lower traveling body and an upper rotating body; weights mounted on this base machine; ID (identification) tags which are installed on the respective weights and in which ID information on weight mounting conditions has been written; and an ID reader for reading the ID information. In this weight detecting apparatus weight detecting apparatus, the mounting conditions of the weights are detected by wireless communications between the ID reader and the ID tags.