RF Transponder Tracking for Packing Machine Component Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packing machines face challenges in accurately determining the operational hours of format-related components, making precise maintenance scheduling difficult due to cyclic replacement during format changes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a packing machine with transponders installed on each component, which contain data about their operational life and are communicative via radio frequency, allowing for precise tracking and maintenance scheduling through a control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the overall hour meter of the automatic machine is used to determine component operating hours, then maintenance scheduling is simple, but precision is lost for cyclically replaced components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the maintenance tracking system into component-specific segments. Each component has its own transponder with individual operational hour counter, allowing separate tracking of each component's actual usage. This segmentation enables precise measurement of individual component hours while maintaining simple centralized management through the control unit that automatically collects and processes data from all transponders.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates informational copies of component identification and operational data through transponders. Each transponder contains a copy of the component's identity and operational hour information, which can be read by the control unit without physically inspecting or manually recording data from each component. This copying mechanism enables automatic, precise tracking of operational hours for maintenance scheduling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If format-related components are cyclically replaced during format changes, then adaptability is improved, but tracking actual operational hours becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service tracking system where each component automatically records and communicates its own operational hours through embedded transponders. When components are cyclically replaced during format changes, the new components come with pre-loaded transponder data, and the control unit automatically updates and tracks their operational hours without requiring manual intervention or complex external tracking systems.
3Measurement precision
If transponders with radio frequency communication are installed on each component, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs relatively simple, low-cost transponder devices that can be easily attached to or removed with components. These transponders serve their purpose of tracking operational hours accurately and can be replaced when components are cyclically changed during format adjustments. The transponders themselves are designed to be simple electronic tags rather than complex integrated systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
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
Enables precise and reliable maintenance scheduling of all components, including those that are cyclically replaced, improving operational efficiency and reducing maintenance complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the transponders (16) being communicative via radio frequency with a control unit (14) of the automatic machine (6)
Data Source
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AI summary
An automatic machine (6) for the processing of products constituted by smoking articles, sanitary articles, foodstuff articles, or pharmaceutical articles; the automatic machine (6) has: at least one processing line (8) along which the products are processed; a plurality of components, which are distributed along the processing line (8) so as to make up the processing line (8); at least one transponder (16), which is mounted on a corresponding component, comprises a programmable memory (17) designed to contain solely a series of data of the component, and comprises a first transmission device (18), which is designed to send and receive the data contained in the programmable memory (17); a second transmission device (20), which is designed to communicate with the first transmission device (18) and comprises at least one antenna (21); and a protection casing (22), which supports the antenna (21) of the second transmission device (20) and is coupled to the automatic machine (6) so as to completely cover a front wall of the automatic machine (6) in order to avoid contact with the moving parts when the automatic machine (6) is working.