Metal Gas Cylinder Pallet RFID Layout for Fork-Tine Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Identifying metallic gas cylinder pallets in large warehouses is inefficient due to shielding of RFID signals by metal, especially when multiple pallets are loaded together on a long fork, which is not an issue with wooden pallets.
Innovation Solution
A metallic gas cylinder pallet with an RFID tag arranged below the base and between receptacles, forming a Faraday cage, allowing the RFID tag to interact with an antenna on the fork tine despite metal shielding, and being protected from weather influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If an RFID tag is used on a metallic gas cylinder pallet, then automated identification is enabled, but the metal shielding blocks the RFID signal
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tag is positioned in the vertical dimension below the base, while the antenna operates from the horizontal dimension above. This spatial separation in different dimensions allows the signal to pass through the receptacle opening rather than being blocked by the metal base, resolving the shielding contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle structure acts as an intermediary element that provides a signal pathway. The opening in the receptacle allows RFID signals to reach the tag positioned below the base, mediating between the antenna and the tag while the metal structure provides mechanical support.
2Productivity
If multiple gas cylinder pallets are loaded together on a long fork, then transport efficiency is improved, but RFID signal interference increases due to metal proximity
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tag is extracted from the conventional position on top of the pallet and placed below the base. This extraction removes the tag from the dense metal environment when pallets are stacked, allowing reliable signal communication even when multiple pallets are loaded together on a long fork.
Solution Approach 2:
By positioning tags in the vertical dimension below the base, the system creates spatial separation between adjacent pallet tags when stacked. This dimensional arrangement reduces signal interference between multiple pallets transported together, maintaining reliability while improving productivity.
3Ease of operation
If the RFID tag is positioned on the pallet, then identification is possible, but the tag is exposed to weather influences
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tag is nested within the structural framework of the pallet, specifically positioned below the base and protected by the metal structure. This nesting provides physical protection from weather elements while maintaining identification capability through the receptacle opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal base and attachment frame form a protective enclosure around the RFID tag position. This metallic shell structure shields the tag from weather influences such as rain, snow, and UV exposure, while still allowing RFID signal penetration through the receptacle area.
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
Enables automated identification of metallic gas cylinder pallets using RFID, even when multiple pallets are loaded together, while reducing interference and protecting the RFID tag from environmental factors.
Implementation Method 1
the material of the gas cylinder pallet forms a Faraday cage in which the RFID tag is arranged
Implementation Method 2
the RFID tag of the gas cylinder pallet and the RFID antenna of the transport device are designed, by interaction with one another, to identify the gas cylinder pallet
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Gas cylinder pallet (1) comprising - a base (2),- an attachment frame (3) placed on the base (2), - two receptacles (5) arranged below the base (2) and intended for a respective fork tine (6) of a transport device (8), and- an RFID tag (9) arranged below the base (2) between the receptacles (5), wherein the gas cylinder pallet (1) is at least 90% formed from metal. The invention allows metallic gas cylinder pallets (1) to be identified in an automated manner by means of RFID. By arranging the RFID tag (9) between the receptacles (5) for the fork tines (6) of a transport device (8), such as a forklift, the RFID tag (9) is shielded from the surroundings and can nevertheless interact with an RFID antenna (12) in a fork tine (6). This applies in particular even when a plurality of gas cylinder pallets (1) are loaded together onto the forklift fork (7). Moreover, the RFID tag (9) and the RFID antenna (12) are protected from weather influences by this arrangement.