RFID Antenna Placement for In-Vitro Diagnostics Carrier Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In in-vitro diagnostics systems, sample container carriers experience a high failure rate in reading identification information due to metallic structures interfering with magnetic fields and unknown orientations during transport, leading to unreliable data communication.
Innovation Solution
A sample container carrier design with a data carrier antenna positioned on the holding portion adjacent to the top, extending along the outer circumference, allowing for wireless communication independent of the transport mechanism's magnetic field and orientation, and using a dipole antenna for efficient data reading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an RFID tag is arranged in the base portion with reader antennas below the transport plane, then wireless data communication can be established, but metallic structures and electromagnetic arrangements interfere with the magnetic field, causing high failure rate in reading identification information
Solution Approach 1:
The data carrier is extracted from the base portion and relocated to the holding portion, specifically positioned away from the metallic structures and electromagnetic arrangements. This separation removes the data carrier from the harmful magnetic field environment, eliminating the interference problem while maintaining wireless communication capability
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna orientation is changed from a vertical arrangement (reader antennas below transport plane) to a horizontal arrangement (antenna extending along outer circumference of holding portion). This dimensional change allows the antenna to operate in a different spatial plane that is not affected by the vertical magnetic field interference from the base portion
2Adaptability or versatility
If sample container carriers are free floating along transport lane, then transport flexibility is improved, but carrier orientation becomes unknown, leading to high failure rate in reading identification information
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is designed to extend along the outer circumference of the holding portion in a specific directional orientation. This asymmetric placement ensures that regardless of the carrier's rotational position during free floating transport, the antenna will always present an optimal reading surface to the reader, maintaining reliable data communication
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna is positioned in the horizontal plane along the outer circumference rather than vertically in the base portion. This dimensional repositioning allows the antenna to maintain consistent communication capability regardless of the carrier's vertical orientation or rotational position during transport
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
Ensures reliable reading of identifying electronic information from sample container carriers during transport by maximizing signal strength and minimizing interference, regardless of carrier orientation or transport mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The base portion can comprise a metallic material or a permanent magnet configured to interact with a dynamic magnetic field generated by an electromagnetic arrangement of a transport mechanism of an automation track for moving the sample container carrier along a transportation lane in a transport plane by magnetic forces
Implementation Method 2
The data carrier can comprise an antenna for wireless data communication with a reader device of the in-vitro diagnostics system to read the identifying information
Data Source
AI summary
A container carrier for carrying a sample container along a track is presented. The container carrier comprises a holding portion for receiving and holding a sample container and a base portion. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag containing identifying information is provided with an antenna for wireless communication of the RFID tag with a reader device of the diagnostics system to read the identifying information. The RFID tag is on the holding portion. An arrangement for a diagnostics system is provided comprising container carriers and a track with a transport mechanism for moving the container carriers along a transportation lane. The transport mechanism defines a transport plane along which the container carriers move. A reader device reads the identifying information from the RFID tags. The reader device comprising a reader antenna above the transport plane to generate and emit a reader field for wireless communication with the RFID tag's antenna.