Receptacle Holder Layout for RFID-Safe Capacitive Fluid Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrically conductive materials in receptacle holders interfere with RFID transponder communication in sample processing instruments, degrading information transmission during capacitive fluid level sensing.

Innovation Solution

A receptacle holder design incorporating an electrically conductive and non-conductive portions, with an RFID transponder on the non-conductive portion, minimizes interference while allowing capacitive fluid level sensing and supports multiple fluid-containing receptacles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If electrically conductive materials are used to form the holder that supports the fluid-containing receptacle, then capacitive fluid level sensing is enabled, but RFID information transmission is degraded due to energy reflection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid level detection precisionVSAvoidRFID information transmission quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The holder body is divided into two distinct portions: an electrically conductive portion for capacitive fluid level sensing and an electrically non-conductive portion for housing the RFID transponder. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between enabling fluid level detection and maintaining RFID communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrically non-conductive portion acts as an intermediary barrier between the conductive holder body and the RFID transponder. It allows the holder to maintain electrical conductivity for fluid level sensing while simultaneously protecting the RFID transponder from electromagnetic interference, thus enabling both functions to coexist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If the RFID transponder is placed on the electrically conductive portion, then RFID communication can be established, but capacitive fluid level sensing is interfered with due to signal reflection

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRFID information transmissionVSAvoidfluid level detection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID transponder is extracted from the conductive portion and relocated to the non-conductive portion. This extraction removes the source of electromagnetic interference from the fluid level sensing area, allowing accurate capacitive measurement while maintaining RFID communication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If a single electrically conductive body is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but RFID interference cannot be minimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholder structure complexityVSAvoidRFID information transmission quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The holder body is constructed as a composite structure combining electrically conductive and electrically non-conductive materials in a single integrated component. This composite design enables the holder to simultaneously provide electrical conductivity for fluid level sensing and electromagnetic shielding for RFID transponder protection, achieving both functional requirements without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enhances RFID communication by isolating the transponder from conductive materials, enabling precise fluid level detection and efficient fluid handling in sample processing instruments.

Implementation Method 1

the fluid in the fluid-containing receptacle is capacitively coupled to an electrical ground or voltage source, thereby forming one conductor of a capacitor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

an electrically non-conductive portion attached to the electrically conductive portion. The RFID transponder is disposed on the electrically non-conductive portion of the body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentUS20250353018A1Method for capacitive fluid level detection

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 GEN PROBE INC

AI summary

A method of sample processing that includes a step of prompting, at a user interface of a sample processing instrument, a user to enter a user input based on first information transmitted from an RFID transponder disposed on a receptacle holder within the sample processing instrument. The user input indicates second information about the receptacle holder. The method of sample processing further includes a step of receiving, at the user interface of the sample processing instrument, the user input. The Method of sample processing further includes a step of processing, using the sample processing instrument, a sample based on the user input.