RFID-Enabled Pallet Sled for Delivery Verification and Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pallet delivery systems lack efficient tracking, identification, and monitoring capabilities, leading to errors in pallet delivery and asset management, as well as inadequate maintenance scheduling.
Innovation Solution
A pallet sled equipped with RFID readers, GPS, weight sensors, and a processor for tracking and monitoring pallets, ensuring correct delivery, asset management, and predictive maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual pallet tracking and identification methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but delivery accuracy and asset management efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet sled is designed to perform multiple functions: lifting and transporting pallets mechanically, reading RFID tags for identification, weighing pallets for load verification, and tracking location via GPS. This multi-functionality integrates tracking and monitoring capabilities into an existing device, improving delivery accuracy without requiring entirely separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs tracking, identification, and monitoring functions without requiring manual data entry or separate tracking processes. The RFID reader automatically identifies pallets, the GPS receiver continuously tracks location, and the processor monitors usage data, enabling the system to self-manage delivery accuracy and asset tracking.
2Productivity
If no usage monitoring is implemented, then device complexity is reduced, but maintenance scheduling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The processor continuously monitors usage data including lift cycles, distance traveled, and operational status, then transmits this feedback data to remote servers. This feedback mechanism enables automated maintenance scheduling based on actual usage patterns, allowing predictive maintenance without requiring complex manual tracking systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual maintenance scheduling based on fixed intervals is replaced with an automated electronic monitoring system that tracks actual usage. The processor collects usage data and communicates it to remote servers, substituting mechanical/time-based maintenance schedules with data-driven predictive maintenance scheduling.
3Productivity
If manual pallet verification is used, then device complexity is reduced, but asset management efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges pallet verification, tracking, and monitoring functions into the pallet sled itself. The RFID reader, GPS receiver, and weight sensor are integrated with the sled's lifting mechanism, combining asset management capabilities with the existing material handling function in a single unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary that collects data from various sensors (RFID reader, GPS receiver, weight sensor), processes this information, and transmits it to remote servers. This intermediary component coordinates the interaction between different tracking subsystems and the central management system, improving asset management efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A pallet sled includes a pair of tines extending forward from a base. A load wheel supports each of the pair of tines. The load wheels are each configured to move away from the respective tine to lift the respective tine upward relative to a support surface on which the load wheel is supported. A processor on the pallet sled records usage of the sled, such as lift cycles, location over time, battery condition, lift height, weight lifted, distance traveled, and the like. A communication circuit may be configured to send data from the pallet sled to a remote server. An identification reader may be configured to read an identification tag of an object supported on the pair of tines, such as an rfid tag on a pallet.