RFID Antenna Apparatus With Spring-Loaded Pivot Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing RFID reader antenna devices are prone to mechanical damage and misalignment due to high operational stresses, requiring additional protective measures that increase space requirements and reduce passage width, while current solutions do not effectively address the need for a cost-effective and space-saving design.

Innovation Solution

The antenna device features pivotably mounted antennas that can flex and return to a central rest position upon collision, eliminating the need for additional impact protection and maintaining relative antenna positioning, with a carrier system using a swinging door hinge or cantilevered arm design to allow for flexible oscillation and increased passage width.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional impact protection (ram protection bars, protective grilles, crash barriers) is mounted in front of the antennas, then the antennas are protected from mechanical damage, but the space requirement increases and the clear passage width is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from mechanical damageVSAvoidclear passage width
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna device employs a resilient mounting system that allows the antenna carrier to dynamically deflect and absorb impact forces through elastic deformation. The resilient mounting includes elastic elements that enable the carrier to move away from the stand upon impact, converting kinetic energy into elastic potential energy, thereby protecting the antennas from damage without requiring additional protective barriers that would reduce passage width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If ram protection bars and protective grilles are added to protect the antennas, then mechanical damage is prevented, but the device complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from mechanical damageVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful impact force into a beneficial elastic deformation of the resilient mounting system. Instead of resisting impact forces with rigid protective structures, the system allows controlled deflection that absorbs impact energy, then automatically returns to its original position. This transforms the harmful mechanical stress into a self-protective mechanism, eliminating the need for complex protective barriers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Manufacturing precision

If the antennas are rigidly fixed to the stand, then the calibration and localization functions are maintained, but the system is vulnerable to misalignment and damage from accidental impacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoidresistance to mechanical damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna carrier is mounted resiliently to the stand, allowing dynamic movement while maintaining functional precision. The elastic mounting enables the carrier to deflect under impact loads and automatically return to its calibrated position, preserving localization accuracy while providing mechanical protection. This dynamic approach replaces rigid fixation with a compliant mounting system that maintains precision through elastic recovery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables the antenna device to withstand everyday stresses without permanent misalignment or damage, saving space and costs, while maintaining effective RFID tag reading capabilities and maximizing passage width through symmetrical deflection around a central rest position.

Implementation Method 1

The pivot bearing, 14 is spring-loaded in such a way that the carrier 11, 12 together with the antennas 3-6 can be deflected from the rest position and automatically return to the rest position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The carrier is preferably pivotably mounted on the stand via a swinging door hinge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHinge: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP3355406B1Antenna apparatus for an RFID reader
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 PENSOLD ANDREAS
  • EP3355406B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3355406B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an antenna device (1) for an RFID reader (2), comprising a fixedly anchorable stand (8) which supports at least two antennas (3-6) pointing in different directions, wherein the antennas (3-6) are pivotably mounted on the stand (8) between a rest position and at least one deflection position and are spring-loaded in their rest position. The invention further relates to an antenna system (20) with two such antenna devices (1).