Mobile Work Machine RFID Control for Interchangeable Parts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile work machines rely on manual entry of component information, leading to potential errors in operation, especially with interchangeable parts like rollers in agricultural equipment, which can result in poor performance and damage due to incorrect or worn-out parts.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication system that identifies machine components using RFID tags, correlating operational data to generate control signals for optimal machine operation, ensuring accurate part identification and tracking, and automating the detection of wear or deterioration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual entry of component information is used, then the system is simple to operate, but errors in component identification occur leading to poor performance and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent identification accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The machine component performs self-identification through embedded transmitters that automatically provide component information to the control system, eliminating manual entry and reducing identification errors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical entry of component information is replaced with wireless electronic communication systems that automatically transmit and receive component data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If interchangeable parts are used to accommodate various applications, then the adaptability of the machine increases, but the risk of using incorrect or worn-out parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication versatilityVSAvoidcomponent correctness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system continuously receives feedback from transmitters on interchangeable components to verify their identity and operational status, automatically adjusting machine operations to match the installed component characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Component information is transmitted and verified before the machine operates with the interchangeable part, ensuring correct component selection and preventing use of worn-out parts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Duration of action of moving object

If service life tracking is implemented, then maintenance timing is optimized, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent service lifeVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors component operation and accumulates usage data throughout the component's service life, enabling precise tracking of operational hours and cycles without interruption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Transmitters embedded in components serve as intermediaries that automatically report operational status and usage data to the control system, simplifying the monitoring function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3815502A1Mobile work machine and method performed by such
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 DEERE & CO
  • EP3815502A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3815502A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3815502A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobile work machine (102;200;700;800) is disclosed. The mobile work machine (102;200;700;800) comprising: a wireless communication system (300) configured to receive a wireless communication signal from a transmitter corresponding to a machine component on the mobile work machine (102;200;700;800); machine component identification logic (322) configured to obtain a machine component identifier, that uniquely identifies the machine component, based on the wireless communication signal; operation detection logic (326) configured to detect a machine operation associated with the machine component and to generate component performance data correlated to the machine component based on the machine operation; and control signal generator logic (332) configured to generate a control signal that controls the mobile work machine (102;200;700;800) based on the component performance data. Furthermore, a method performed by the agricultural machine is disclosed.