NFC Electrical Interface Module for Component Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrical interface modules in industrial settings face challenges with laborious component recording and identification, limited installation space, and the absence of assembly instructions during installation and maintenance, which complicates replacement planning and fault detection.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a memory device and an integrated NFC or other IO interface that allows for data storage and retrieval, including product information, assembly instructions, and status data, enabling easy identification and configuration of components without physical contact, and facilitating communication with external devices like smartphones or tablets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If comprehensive identification and assembly instructions are added to each component, then information completeness is improved, but installation space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent identification and assembly instructionsVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts identification data, assembly instructions, and component information from physical labels and documentation, storing them digitally in a database accessible via NFC interface. This removes the need for physical space dedicated to labels and instruction sheets while preserving all necessary information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The NFC interface serves multiple functions: component identification, accessing assembly instructions, retrieving test records, and providing maintenance information. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate physical elements into a single digital access point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If visual displays are added to provide component information, then information accessibility is improved, but installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent information accessibilityVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical visual displays with wireless NFC-based information access. Instead of mechanical/optical display elements that occupy space, the system uses electromagnetic field communication to provide the same information accessibility without physical display components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If individual recording and identification of components is performed, then component traceability is improved, but labor and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent traceabilityVSAvoidrecording and identification time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary recording of component data during manufacturing, storing identification information, assembly instructions, and test records in the database before installation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming manual recording during installation and maintenance phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The NFC interface enables automatic retrieval of component information without manual intervention. The system serves itself by providing instant access to all component data through wireless communication, eliminating labor-intensive manual recording and information retrieval processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If assembly instructions are made available during installation, then installation accuracy is improved, but space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly instruction accessibilityVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The NFC interface acts as an intermediary between the component and the assembly instructions stored in the database. It provides immediate access to detailed assembly information without requiring physical instruction manuals or display devices to be present at the installation location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10165085B2Electrical interface module

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

An electrical interface module (IM) has a memory device MEM) for storing data and an integrated interface (IO) that provides data to an external reading device (RW). The electrical interface module (IM) contains a carrier (2) on which the memory device (MEM) and the integrated interface (IO) are arranged, the electrical interface module (IM) can exchange data and/or power with other electrical interface modules (IM) in the vicinity via the integrated interface, and adjacent electrical interface modules (IM) form a logical data bus via the integrated NFC interfaces, which can be addressed and/or controlled by at least one head module or a master module with a higher control and/or monitoring device.