Membrane Tab RFID Thickening for Reliable Valve Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing membrane valves lack a reliable and efficient method for data assignment and storage, which is essential for maintenance and quality control, especially in pharmaceutical systems. Current solutions are either complex, expensive, or vulnerable to environmental influences.
Innovation Solution
A membrane with a machine-readable labeling on the membrane lobe, featuring an electronic data carrier sealed within a cylindrical thickening. This design allows for flexible data assignment and protection against environmental influences, while being cost-effective and simple to manufacture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If an RFID chip is used as a data carrier in the membrane, then data storage and assignment capabilities are improved, but the manufacturing process becomes extensive and demanding with complex steps including punching pockets, centering layers, and enclosing the chip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data carrier function from the membrane body by using a separate tab structure. The tab is formed from the membrane material and extends beyond the clamping area, allowing the data carrier to be mounted on the tab rather than embedded within the membrane layers. This separation simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need to punch pockets through multiple layers and precisely center components during vulcanization.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane is segmented into functional areas: the clamped membrane portion between housing parts and the extending tab portion. This segmentation allows the data carrier to be positioned on the tab away from the complex multi-layer structure, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining data storage functionality.
2Ease of operation
If a tab is added to the membrane to make it visible when installed, then identification capability is improved, but the membrane structure becomes more complex and material is added
Solution Approach 1:
The tab serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical attachment for the data carrier, extends the membrane beyond the clamping area for visibility and accessibility, and maintains structural continuity with the membrane material. This multi-functionality adds minimal complexity while achieving identification and data carrier mounting goals.
3Loss of information
If punching pockets in multiple membrane layers is done to insert an RFID chip, then data storage is enabled, but manufacturing precision requirements increase significantly to ensure proper alignment and enclosure
Solution Approach 1:
The data carrier mounting function is extracted from the membrane body and relocated to the tab structure. This eliminates the need to punch precision pockets through multiple membrane layers and ensures proper alignment during vulcanization, as the tab provides a dedicated mounting area away from the complex multi-layer assembly.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a membrane (5) comprising at least two layers (11, 12) and a membrane flap (16). The membrane flap (16) projects beyond a membrane clamping element. The membrane flap (16) has a thickening (17) with at least one electronic data carrier.