RFID Tagged Building Components for Precise Site Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Construction companies face challenges in accurately determining the location of building components on construction sites, leading to inefficiencies and potential safety hazards due to the lack of clear placement instructions for delivered equipment and tools.

Innovation Solution

The method involves attaching RFID tags to building components, which store their predetermined location on the site, and using optical or physical markings to identify these components, allowing for precise positioning through RFID technology and Building Information Modeling (BIM) databases, enabling accurate tracking and installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional manual tracking methods are used for building components, then the system complexity is low, but the location accuracy and tracking efficiency are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID tag serves multiple functions: it stores component identification data, location information, and installation status. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate tracking systems while improving location accuracy, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital replica of the physical building site through BIM (Building Information Modeling) that mirrors the actual component locations. This virtual model allows precise tracking and visualization of component positions without requiring complex physical tracking infrastructure, thereby improving measurement precision while managing system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If RFID tags with location data are attached to all building components, then location tracking accuracy improves, but the cost and time for tagging increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking efficiencyVSAvoidtagging time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

RFID tags are attached to building components during the manufacturing process before delivery to the construction site. This preliminary action ensures that components are already tagged and ready for immediate tracking upon arrival, improving productivity while minimizing the time required for tagging at the construction site

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the RFID tagging process with the existing component manufacturing and delivery workflow. By integrating tag attachment into the standard production process, the system improves tracking efficiency without significantly increasing overall time investment, as tagging becomes a routine part of component preparation rather than a separate construction phase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If precise location data is stored in RFID tags, then component placement accuracy improves, but information management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplacement accuracyVSAvoidinformation management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The BIM (Building Information Modeling) system serves as an intermediary between the RFID tags and the construction management team. The BIM model centralizes and visualizes location data from all RFID tags in an intuitive 3D representation, improving placement accuracy while simplifying information management by providing a unified interface rather than requiring direct management of individual tag databases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution enhances the accuracy and efficiency of building construction by providing real-time location data for components, improving site management and ensuring safe working conditions by streamlining the placement process.

Implementation Method 1

Radio-Frequency IDentification (RFID) technology

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRFID (Radio-Frequency IDentification): Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an optical reflective target

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9460479B1Dispensable smart target/ re-usable smart target
Publication Date: 2016.10.04 TRIMBLE INC
  • US9460479B1 patent drawing
  • US9460479B1 patent drawing
  • US9460479B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for aiding construction of a building is proposed. The building includes a plurality of building components. The method comprises: (A) providing at least one building component marking attached to at least one building component, (B) providing at least one RFID tag, and C) of using at least one building component marking to identify at least one building component on the building site. An RFID tag is attached to at least one building component. The RFID tag is configured to store a predetermined location of at least one building component on a building site. A building component marking is selected from the group consisting of: an optical reflective target; and a physical marking.