IC Tag Unit Mounting on Transparent Cover Plate for Analog Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IC tag units for instruments impair visibility and calibration when retrofitted to analog instruments, and require direct viewing and recording of measurement values, which is inconvenient and prone to errors due to dust or contamination.
Innovation Solution
An IC tag unit with a scale increment reading module that includes a sensor opposed to the indicator, allowing wireless communication without overlapping with scale increments, and a mounting medium that positions the IC tag to avoid obstructing the viewing direction, ensuring stable power supply through wireless communication and enabling real-time monitoring even in dirty conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If an IC tag unit is mounted on an instrument to enable wireless communication and monitoring, then automation and convenience are improved, but visibility of scale increments and calibration accuracy may be impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The IC tag unit is mounted on the transparent cover plate rather than the scale plate, utilizing the third dimension (depth/layers) to separate the wireless communication function from the measurement function. This spatial separation allows the IC tag to be positioned in a dimension where it does not interfere with the scale plate's calibration markings, thus maintaining measurement precision while enabling automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent cover plate serves as an intermediary medium that carries the IC tag unit while maintaining optical transparency. This intermediary allows the IC tag to be mounted close to the scale plate for effective wireless communication, yet remains visually transparent so that scale increments remain fully visible and accessible for calibration, thus resolving the contradiction between automation and measurement precision.
2Ease of operation
If an IC tag unit is mounted on an instrument to enable wireless reading of values, then ease of operation is improved, but visibility of scale increments may be impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The IC tag unit is positioned on the transparent cover plate in a different spatial layer than the scale plate, allowing wireless reading functionality to be added without occupying the visual field of the scale increments. This dimensional separation ensures that the scale plate remains fully visible for manual reading while the IC tag enables wireless operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent cover plate acts as a thin, transparent film or shell that can accommodate the IC tag unit while maintaining optical clarity. This flexible transparent medium allows the IC tag to be mounted close to the scale plate for effective communication, yet remains invisible to the observer, thus preserving visibility while enabling ease of operation through wireless reading.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a transparent cover plate is used to protect the scale plate, then protection from dust and contamination is improved, but mounting of IC tag without overlapping scale increments becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By mounting the IC tag unit on the transparent cover plate rather than attempting to mount it directly on the scale plate, the invention utilizes the third dimension (depth/layers) to resolve the positioning conflict. The IC tag is positioned in the space between the cover plate and scale plate, allowing it to be protected from dust while being positioned to avoid overlapping with scale increments when viewed from the front.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent cover plate serves as an intermediary mounting surface that is both protected from dust (being on the outer surface) and visually transparent (allowing viewing of scale increments). This intermediary medium provides a convenient mounting location for the IC tag that simultaneously satisfies both protection and visibility requirements without complicating the positioning.
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
The IC tag unit allows for retrofitting to analog instruments without impairing visibility or calibration, enabling wireless reading of indicator values and maintaining monitoring functionality even when the instrument is dirty, with stable power supply and real-time data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
an IC tag including an IC chip and an antenna, the IC tag being capable of communicating stored information by a radio wave in a contactless manner
Implementation Method 2
a scale increment reading module which reads operation of the indicator. The scale increment reading module includes a sensor which is opposed to the indicator on the mounting medium and which reads a position of the indicator on the basis of relative movement thereof
Data Source
AI summary
An IC unit includes a scale increment reading module that is configured to: detect, when an indicator in an instrument rotates, rotation of the indicator, and convert the rotation into rotation data; and an antenna that is configured to transmit the rotation data wirelessly from the IC tag unit to a reader. The instrument includes a scale plate, scale increments on the scale plate remain viewable when the IC tag unit is affixed to the instrument. The instrument includes a transparent cover plate, the IC tag unit is affixed to the transparent cover plate when the IC tag unit is affixed to an instrument. The IC tag unit is calibrated by rotating the IC tag unit until an indicating portion of the indicator overlaps a first pointer on the scale plate.