Multi-Frequency Electronic Seal Signal Quality Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electronic seal technologies face issues with defective products due to cumulative tolerances in the plug-bolt and lock-seat manufacturing, leading to invalid signals and deteriorated read rates when engaged, making it difficult for end customers to perform effective quality control.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a chip, main circuit, and secondary circuit with a detection antenna in the circuit board of the electronic seal, allowing for the emission of first and second signals when engaged, enabling mobile phone software to perform quality control and ensuring the plug-bolt and lock-seat are functioning correctly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the spring is formed in one-piece in the lock-seat to maintain structural strength, then the spring structure strength is improved, but the spring activity margin is reduced due to cumulative tolerances in manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electronic seal system into multiple independent components: plug-bolt with detection antenna, lock-seat with main antenna, and separate circuit boards with chips. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately with controlled tolerances, and the cumulative tolerance effect is minimized because the critical spring structure remains integrated while the electronic components are modular and can be tested independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary testing of the electronic seal components before final assembly and use. The detection antenna on the plug-bolt can test the spring activity margin independently, and the chip can verify signal generation before the plug-bolt is engaged with the lock-seat. This preliminary action allows defective products to be identified and discarded before they cause problems during actual cargo-container sealing operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate manufacturing of plug-bolt and lock-seat is used to meet quality controls, then manufacturing precision is improved, but cumulative tolerance affects spring activity margin leading to defective products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the detection antenna and chip as intermediary testing components that can evaluate the spring activity margin independently of the final assembled system. The detection antenna acts as a mediator between the spring structure and the testing system, allowing measurement of spring activity without requiring the plug-bolt to be engaged with the lock-seat. This intermediary enables quality control while accounting for cumulative tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the chip processes signals from the detection antenna and provides information about spring activity margin and signal validity. This feedback allows the system to identify defective products and provide guidance for quality control, ensuring that only products with adequate spring activity margin proceed to final assembly and use.
3Device complexity
If no detection system is provided, then device complexity is reduced, but end customers cannot perform quality control testing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the electronic seal system to perform self-testing through the detection antenna and chip combination. The system can independently evaluate its own spring activity margin and signal generation capability without requiring external testing equipment or complex diagnostic systems. This self-service approach maintains relative simplicity while providing valuable quality control capability for end customers.
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 solution allows end customers to accurately test and control the quality of the electronic seal using a mobile phone, preventing the use of defective products and ensuring effective supervision of cargo-container seals.
Implementation Method 1
the secondary circuit is matched with a detection antenna... controlling the secondary circuit to be electrically connected with the chip and the detection antenna to emit a second signal
Implementation Method 2
the main circuit, the chip, and the main antenna of the lock-seat are electrically connected to emit a first signal for providing the identification host to monitor
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention comprises a plug-bolt set with a circuit board and a detection antenna on a bolt-piece and a lock-seat set with a main antenna. The circuit board is set with a chip, a main circuit, and a secondary circuit. When the lock-seat and the bolt-piece are engaged and locked; the chip, the main circuit, and the main antenna are electrically connected to emit a first signal for providing the identification host to monitor, and controlling the secondary circuit to be electrically connected with the chip and the detection antenna to emit a second signal. The second signal can be used for the mobile phone software to do the quality control of the first signal. The first and second signals can be cut-off simultaneously when the plug-bolt is broken. This allows the end customer to do the actual test and quality control using the mobile phone.