Flexible Ore Tag Assembly for Impact Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ore markers, typically housed in hard RFID tag shells, have a high attrition rate due to crushing by ore and are often buried in conveyor belts, leading to unsuccessful detection.

Innovation Solution

An ore tag assembly with flexible tubes and a loosely held RFID device, sealed by plugs and sealant to prevent ingress of materials and liquids, allowing the assembly to bend and survive dynamic and static loading without damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a hard shell is used to protect the RFID tag from impact pressures, then the tag can withstand crushing forces, but the shell has a high attrition rate because it is frequently crushed by the ore

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to impact pressureVSAvoidsurvival rate

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional hard shell with a flexible tube made of elastomeric material that can bend and deform under compressive forces from ore. This flexible tube contains the RFID device and can be buried in ore without damage, eliminating the attrition problem while maintaining protection through flexibility rather than rigidity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the RFID tag is positioned on conveyor belts for detection, then the tag can be detected by antennas, but the tag is frequently buried in the ore on the conveyor belt, leading to unsuccessful detection

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedetectabilityVSAvoiddetection success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible tube allows the RFID device to remain detectable even when buried in ore on conveyor belts. The tube's flexibility enables it to maintain contact with detection antennas while being surrounded by ore, solving the detection reliability issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible tube can dynamically adjust its position and deformation state based on the surrounding ore and conveyor belt conditions, maintaining detection capability throughout the ore's journey from mine to mill.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If a hard shell is used to house the RFID tag, then the tag structure is rigid and protective, but the assembly cannot survive dynamic and static loading without damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidsurvival under loading

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric tube provides both structural stability and flexibility, allowing the RFID device to be protected while accommodating dynamic and static loading conditions through elastic deformation rather than rigid fracture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11694044B2Ore tag assembly and system and method re same

Publication Date: 2023.07.04 TOPVU LTD

AI summary

An ore tag assembly including a tube subassembly having one or more tubes extending between first and second ends thereof and defining a cavity therein, and a RFID device located in the cavity. The ore tag assembly includes plugs positioned in the respective first and second ends of one of the tubes, to prevent ingress of liquids or other materials into the cavity.