Read Head with RFID and Induction Sensors for Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reading heads for position determination are costly, unreliable, and insufficient for long distances, especially in applications like crane systems in port areas and large rotary wheels, as they require movement and stored values for accurate positioning.
Innovation Solution
A reading head equipped with both an RFID transponder reading unit and an induction detector unit, allowing for immediate and precise absolute position determination along a rail without movement, using a combination of sensors to enhance accuracy and reliability, particularly at distances over 10 meters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional reading heads are used for position determination, then the system construction is cost-intensive, but the position determination cannot be performed immediately at all times and requires movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different sensing principles (RFID transponder reading and induction detection) into a single reading head device. This merging allows the system to determine position immediately without requiring movement, as both absolute position data (from RFID) and precise position data (from induction) are available simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between availability and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The reading head is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both an RFID transponder reading unit and an induction detector unit. This universal design enables the single device to perform multiple functions: determining absolute position via RFID tags and measuring precise position changes via induction, thereby eliminating the need for separate systems and reducing overall construction complexity while maintaining continuous position determination availability
2Measurement precision
If conventional reading heads are used for long distance position determination (e.g., crane systems traversing several 100 m), then the position cannot be determined immediately, but using alternative systems increases manufacturing and operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
By merging RFID transponder reading capability with induction detection in a single reading head, the system achieves both long-range absolute position determination (via RFID tags placed at intervals along the rail) and precise position measurement (via induction detection). This combination provides accurate position data over several 100 meters immediately without requiring expensive alternative systems, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the long measurement range (several 100 meters) into discrete sections with RFID tags placed at specific intervals. The reading head reads these segmented tags sequentially while using induction detection for continuous precise measurement between tags. This segmentation approach enables cost-effective long-distance position determination by breaking down the large measurement range into manageable segments, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and manufacturing cost
3Measurement precision
If a single sensor type is used in the reading head, then the construction is simpler, but the accuracy of absolute position determination decreases, especially at distances above 10 m
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two different sensor types (RFID transponder reader and induction detector) into a single sensor unit. The RFID component provides accurate absolute position data at long distances by reading tags, while the induction detector provides precise position measurement. This merging of heterogeneous sensors resolves the contradiction by achieving high measurement precision across all distances while consolidating the complexity into one integrated reading head rather than requiring separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by using two different physical principles (electromagnetic coupling for RFID and magnetic induction) with different effective ranges and precision characteristics. The RFID system operates effectively at longer distances for absolute position, while induction detection operates for precise measurement. By changing and combining these parameters, the system achieves high accuracy at distances above 10 meters without excessively increasing device complexity
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
The solution provides a reliable and precise position determination system that is cost-effective and can determine absolute positions immediately upon power supply, without the need for incremental movement or stored values, ensuring robustness and accuracy even in safety-critical systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first RFID transponder reading unit (211) and a first induction detector unit (212), and having an evaluation unit (203) connected to the first RFID transponder reading unit (211) and to the first induction detector unit (212)
Implementation Method 2
the first induction detector unit (212) being set up to determine the absolute position and outputting a second position value
Data Source
Figure 1~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a read head having a sensor unit, wherein the sensor unit has a first RFID transponder read unit and an induction detector unit, and the read head has a longitudinal axis and can be displaced along the longitudinal axis of a rail, and an evaluation unit connected to the RFID transponder read unit and to the induction detector unit is provided. The RFID transponder read unit is designed to determine an absolute position and outputs a first position value, and the induction detector unit is designed to determine an absolute position and outputs a second position value. The evaluation unit is designed to determine an absolute position from the first position value and the second position value.