RFID Centrifuge Container Cycle Tracking Across Multiple Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laboratory centrifuges face challenges in accurately monitoring the number of centrifugation cycles of centrifuge containers across different machines and ensuring operational safety and reliability, particularly when containers are used interchangeably.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an RFID device in the centrifuge container that wirelessly communicates with the centrifuge to track the number of cycles, ensuring accurate cycle counting regardless of the centrifuge used, and incorporating a storage unit to store operating parameters, with specific designs to withstand high rotational speeds and accelerations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an RFID device is integrated into the centrifuge container to enable wireless communication and cycle tracking, then monitoring precision and operational reliability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecycle counting accuracyVSAvoidcontainer structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical counting methods with an RFID-based wireless communication system. The RFID device in the container communicates cycle information wirelessly to the centrifuge control unit, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sensors or physical counters integrated into the container structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID device acts as an intermediary between the centrifuge container and the control system. It stores cycle information and communicates it wirelessly to the centrifuge, allowing the container to be read without physical contact or complex integration with the centrifuge structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the centrifuge container is used across multiple different centrifuges to increase versatility, then adaptability is improved, but the ability to accurately track cycle history across machines deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer interchangeabilityVSAvoidcycle history tracking
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID device provides universal identification and tracking across different centrifuge machines. Each container has a unique RFID tag that can be read by any centrifuge's reading device, creating a universal system that tracks cycle history regardless of which specific centrifuge the container is used in.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by having the centrifuge control unit read the RFID device's cycle count information and update it. This feedback loop ensures that cycle history is continuously maintained and synchronized across all centrifuges, preventing information loss when containers are interchanged between machines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the RFID device is positioned to withstand high rotational speeds and accelerations, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice durability at high speedVSAvoiddevice mounting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the RFID device into a separate, self-contained unit that can be independently manufactured and then attached to the container. This segmentation allows the RFID device to be optimized for durability through separate engineering, while the attachment mechanism can be simplified for easy manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 monitoring of centrifuge container cycles, preventing overuse and ensuring operational safety by automatically detecting cycle thresholds, allowing for safer and more reliable operation of laboratory centrifuges.

Implementation Method 1

a device (9) with an RFID device (11)... enables wireless power supply and/or information exchange between the centrifuge container (4) and adjacent components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3560592B2Laboratory centrifuge, centrifuge tubes for a laboratory centrifuge and method for operating a centrifuge container
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 SIGMA LABORZENTRIFUGEN
  • EP3560592B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3560592B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3560592B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a centrifuge container (4) used in a laboratory centrifuge (1). According to the invention, the centrifuge container (4) has an RFID device (11). The RFID device (11) can communicate with the laboratory centrifuge (1). This communication can include, for example, the number of operating cycles the centrifuge container (4) has undergone, the centrifugation duration, the angular velocity of the rotation of the centrifuge container (4), the acceleration of the centrifuge container (4), the oscillation angle of the centrifuge container (4), and/or the temperature inside the centrifuge container (4). It is also possible that the centrifuge container (4) has a storage unit in which the centrifugation cycles undergone by the centrifuge container (4) are stored.In this way, the cycle status of the centrifuge container (4) can be recorded regardless of which laboratory centrifuge (1) is used to operate the centrifuge container (4).