RFID Container with Electromagnetic Shielding for Tool Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable containers, such as tool bags, fail to accurately track and prevent the loss of RFID-tagged tools due to false detections and lack of continuous monitoring, leading to potential foreign object damage in sensitive industrial environments.
Innovation Solution
A portable container with an electromagnetic shield and a detector device that uses RFID tags to ensure accurate tracking and alert users to missing tools, featuring a sensor for lid closure detection, an activation mechanism for recording reference lists, and a signal system for prompt alerts, reducing power consumption and eliminating the need for continuous scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous scanning is used to detect RFID-tagged tools, then detection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detector device performs periodic scanning of RFID-tagged tools at scheduled intervals rather than continuous scanning. The control unit activates the detector to scan at predetermined times, which maintains detection reliability by regularly checking for tool presence while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation.
2Measurement precision
If electromagnetic shielding is added to prevent false detections, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic shielding material is integrated into the container walls and lid structure itself, merging the shielding function with the existing container components. This approach provides the necessary electromagnetic protection to prevent false detections from external RFID signals while avoiding the need for separate, additional shielding structures that would increase device complexity.
3Reliability
If reference list recording mechanism is implemented, then loss prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system records a reference list of RFID tool identifiers in the container's memory before the tools are removed for use. This preliminary recording creates a baseline against which subsequent scans can be compared to detect missing tools, improving loss prevention while using only simple memory storage and comparison logic in the control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit compares current RFID scan results against the stored reference list and provides feedback through visual or audible alerts when discrepancies are detected. This feedback mechanism notifies users of missing or unauthorized tools, enhancing loss prevention through a straightforward compare-and-alert system that adds minimal complexity.
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 ensures accurate tracking and prevention of tool loss, reducing the risk of foreign object damage by providing reliable detection and alerting users to missing tools, thus improving working efficiency and minimizing the risk of machinery damage.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic shield wherein the bay and the at least one opening in the bay is enclosed by the electromagnetic shield and wherein the lid forms part of the electromagnetic shield
Data Source
AI summary
A portable container (2) for one or more articles (16) each tagged with a respective Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device (18). The container (2) comprises: a bay (6) having at least one opening (O) for removal and/or placement of RFID-tagged articles (16) into the bay (6); a lid (15) for covering the at least one opening in the bay (6), wherein the lid (15) is openable to permit access to the bay (6); a detector device (21,22) for detecting RFID-tagged articles (16) located in the bay (6); a power supply (30) for supplying electrical power to the detector device (21,22). The container (2) further comprises: an electromagnetic shield (19,19a,19b,19c,19d) wherein the bay (6) and the at least opening in the bay (6) is enclosed by the electromagnetic shield and wherein the lid (15) forms part of the electromagnetic shield.