RFID Verification Cap for Fastening Clip Installation Checks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The automotive manufacturing process is time-consuming and cumbersome due to the need for manual inspection of fastening clips' correct installation in hard-to-reach locations, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential loosening during vehicle vibrations.

Innovation Solution

A verification cap with a tubular base and hinged cover, incorporating an RFID system that only transmits a verification signal when the cover is closed, ensuring the fastening clip is correctly aligned and installed, allowing for remote and quick verification of installation quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual inspection methods are used to verify fastening clip installation, then installation correctness can be confirmed, but the inspection process becomes very time-consuming and tedious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidinspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with an automated RFID verification system. The RFID reader automatically detects and verifies fastening clip installation status without requiring physical inspection, thereby maintaining verification accuracy while dramatically reducing inspection time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening clip itself carries an RFID tag that automatically provides verification information when queried by the RFID reader. The system performs self-verification without requiring external manual inspection, enabling quick automated confirmation of installation status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If fastening clips are placed in hard-to-reach locations to prevent object movement, then security is improved, but physical inspection becomes even more difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-loosening securityVSAvoidinspection accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID verification system eliminates the need for physical access to hard-to-reach locations. The RFID reader can remotely verify fastening clip installation status through wireless communication, maintaining security while making inspection as easy as approaching the vehicle with the reader device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID tag acts as an intermediary carrier that brings verification capability to the hard-to-reach fastening clip location. Instead of needing to physically access the clip, the system uses the RFID tag as a mediator to transmit installation status information wirelessly to the reader.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If a great number of fastening clips are installed in vehicles, then functional requirements are met, but the physical checking process becomes extremely time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation capacityVSAvoidverification time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The automated RFID verification system can quickly read and verify multiple fastening clips in succession without the time-consuming manual inspection process. The system maintains the ability to install a great number of clips while reducing verification time from minutes per clip to seconds per clip.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID verification process can continuously and rapidly verify multiple fastening clips in sequence without interruption. The system maintains continuous verification action across all clips, eliminating the repetitive start-stop nature of manual inspection and dramatically reducing total verification time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Facilitates quick and remote verification of correct fastening clip installation, reducing tedious inspections and ensuring alignment and secure attachment, even in hidden or hard-to-reach locations, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency and preventing loosening issues.

Implementation Method 1

a RFID system, operably coupled to an inner surface of said cover member and configured to actuate/enable transmission of a verification signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4279752B1RFID verification cap

Publication Date: 2024.11.20 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

Figure 1(a)~1(c)
Figure 2(a)~2(f)
Figure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

The present invention provides for a verification cap for verifying installation of a fastening clip (100) to a support structure, comprising: a tubular base member (204), comprising an enclosing side wall (205) defining an interior space between an open bottom end portion and an open top end portion, configured to retainingly receive at least a portion of the fastening clip during assembly, and a cover member (202), hingeably connected to said base member and movable between a closed position and an open position and a RFID system (302), operably coupled to an inner surface of said cover member and configured to actuate transmission of a verification signal only when said cover member is in said closed position, lockingly engaged with said top end portion of said side wall, such that the fastening clip is in a predetermined position relative to said RFID system, during use.