Road Magnetic Marker RFID Isolation Against Water Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic markers installed on roads face instability in wireless communication due to water interference, particularly in rainy conditions, which affects the reliability of information transmission using the UHF band.

Innovation Solution

A method of installing magnetic markers with a protecting part that isolates the antenna from water, ensuring a sufficient isolation distance to maintain communication stability, even when submerged, by forming a gap between the antenna and the surrounding resin mold or using a protective layer to prevent water contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the magnetic marker uses wireless communication (UHF band) to provide information to the vehicle side, then more information can be provided, but stability of wireless communication is impaired when water is present in the periphery due to electromagnetic attenuation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation transmission capabilityVSAvoidwireless communication stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a protecting part as an intermediary element between the antenna and the water environment. This protecting part serves as a mediator that allows the antenna to function while preventing direct contact with water that would cause electromagnetic attenuation. The protecting part transmits or blocks electromagnetic waves selectively, enabling information transmission while maintaining communication stability in rainy conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protecting part is implemented as a thin film or shell structure that covers the antenna. This flexible protective layer isolates the antenna from water while allowing electromagnetic wave transmission. The thin film structure provides water resistance without significantly interfering with the UHF band communication, thus maintaining both information transmission capability and communication stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If the antenna is exposed to provide wireless communication, then information can be transmitted, but water contact attenuates electromagnetic waves and impairs communication reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless communication functionVSAvoidwater interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protecting part acts as an intermediary barrier between the antenna and water. It allows the antenna to remain functional for wireless communication while preventing direct water contact that causes electromagnetic attenuation. The protecting part mediates the interaction between the antenna and the harmful water environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protecting part is installed in advance to prevent water from contacting the antenna before water interference can occur. This preliminary protective measure counteracts the harmful effect of water on electromagnetic waves, ensuring communication reliability is maintained even in rainy conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 approach enhances the reliability of wireless communication with vehicles by maintaining high communication performance even in rainy environments, ensuring stable information transmission.

Implementation Method 1

water exhibiting electromagnetic characteristics that attenuate electric waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave attenuation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3805992B1Method for constructing magnetic marker
Publication Date: 2024.02.28 AICHI STEEL CORP
  • EP3805992B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3805992B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3805992B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To install, in or on a road surface (30S) of a road, a magnetic marker (1) having retained in its outer perimeter an RFID tag (2) including an antenna for wireless communication, an arrangement step of accommodating the magnetic marker (1) in an accommodation hole (31) provided to be bored in the road surface (30S) and a formation step of providing the magnetic marker (1) with a protecting part (40) for isolating the antenna from water are performed. With these steps, even if the periphery of the magnetic marker (1) is submerged in water after installation, high communication performance of the RFID tag (2) can be kept.