Fluid Line Connection Unit With State-Visible RFID Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting fluid lines are time-consuming and error-prone, requiring manual verification of connection units, which can lead to inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A connection unit with a machine-readable code that is undetectable in an unconnected state and becomes detectable only when the fluid lines are correctly connected, utilizing an RFID chip or similar technology, ensuring accurate alignment and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a machine-readable code is always visible on the connection unit, then scanning and verification become easier, but the code may be detected in incorrect connection states leading to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The code element is made dynamically visible or invisible based on the connection state. In the unconnected state, the code is hidden; in the correctly connected state, the code becomes visible for scanning. This dynamic visibility ensures that the code is only detected when the connection is proper, resolving the contradiction between ease of scanning and verification accuracy.
2Device complexity
If manual verification methods are used to check connection correctness, then equipment complexity is reduced, but time consumption and error rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection unit itself provides the verification function through the machine-readable code that becomes visible only when correctly connected. The system self-verifies the connection status without requiring external complex verification equipment, thus maintaining low device complexity while dramatically improving verification efficiency and reducing errors.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the code is made visible from the outer side in all states, then detection becomes simpler, but the code may be detected in unconnected states causing verification errors
Solution Approach 1:
The code element has different visibility properties in different connection states. In the unconnected state, the code is positioned or shielded to be undetectable from the outer side. In the correctly connected state, the code moves to or becomes visible from the outer side. This local quality change in visibility resolves the contradiction between detection simplicity and detection accuracy.
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
This solution enhances readability and accuracy in connecting fluid lines by ensuring the code is only visible when the connection is correct, reducing errors and improving efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The RFID chip can be surrounded by a metallic housing which is designed to shield the RFID chip from an outer side such that it cannot be detected in the unconnected or incorrectly connected state of the two connection bodies.
Implementation Method 2
a connection unit which can establish a fluid connection between at least two fluid lines, which connection is sealed towards the outside
Data Source
AI summary
A connection unit for connecting fluid lines is described, wherein the connection unit comprises a first connection body and a second connection body, wherein the connection unit comprises a machine-readable code which is not detectable when the first connection body and the second connection body are in an unconnected state and which is detectable when the first connection body and the second connection body are in a connected state.