Printed RFID Detection Assembly for Cleaning Component Presence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing RFID-based detection devices for cleaning equipment are costly to produce due to the need for manufacturing steps that integrate RFID encoding elements and readers.

Innovation Solution

A method involving printing electrical conductors and antennas directly onto the housings or carrier elements of the detection device components using an aerosol printing process, eliminating the need for additional manufacturing steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional manufacturing methods are used to integrate RFID encoding elements and readers into cleaning devices, then the detection device can be manufactured, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection device functionalityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple manufacturing operations into a single printing process. The antenna and electrical conductors are printed directly onto the housing or carrier element in one step, eliminating the need for separate steps to attach RFID components. This merging of operations reduces production cost while maintaining detection device functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical assembly methods (attaching, mounting, integrating RFID components) with a printing process. Electrical conductors and antennas are deposited directly onto the substrate through printing, substituting mechanical integration with a more efficient deposition process that reduces cost and complexity.

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

2Reliability

If additional manufacturing steps are used to integrate RFID components, then the detection device can be assembled, but the manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection device operationVSAvoidmanufacturing process steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple manufacturing steps (antenna fabrication, conductor attachment, RFID component integration) are merged into a single printing operation. The printing process simultaneously creates the antenna structure and electrical conductors on the housing or carrier element, dramatically reducing process complexity while ensuring reliable device operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The printing process serves multiple functions: it creates the antenna structure, forms electrical conductors, and establishes electrical connections all in one operation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate manufacturing steps for each component, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining detection device reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach reduces production costs and ensures reliable operation of the detection device by simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining effective RFID detection capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

For printing, an aerosol printing process is used, for example. In practice, this has proven advantageous for cost-effective manufacturing and reliable operation of the detection device.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerosol deposition: Aerosol

Data Source

PatentEP4685692A1Method for producing a detection device and cleaning device having a detection device
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP4685692A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4685692A1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4685692A1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an RFID-based detection device (126) of a cleaning device (10), by means of which detection device (126) the presence of a second component (112) of the cleaning device (10) on a first component (106) of the cleaning device (10) can be detected, wherein the first component (106) comprises an RFID reading unit (128) of the detection device (126) and the second component (112) an RFID encoding element (148) in the form of an integrated circuit (150) or comprising an integrated circuit (150) of the detection device (126), wherein the method comprises: providing a housing (116, 124, 174, 178, 184, 192) of the first component (106) or a housing (124) of the second component (112) or at least one carrier element (140, 152), printing electrical conductor tracks (158) and/or an antenna (132) of the detection device (126) onto the housing (116, 124, 174,178, 184, 192) or on the at least one support element (140, 152) that can be arranged on the housing (116, 124, 174, 178, 184, 192) of the first component (106) or on the housing (116, 124, 174, 178, 184, 192) of the second component (112). The invention also relates to a cleaning device.