RFID Dowel Insert for Secure Inventory Tracking and Tag Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RFID tags are prone to damage, easy detachment, and accessibility issues when attached to inventory items, making them undesirable for secure tracking.
Innovation Solution
A dowel system with a first surface to support an RFID tag and contact portions that frictionally engage the dowel sleeve, ensuring secure positioning and retention within the sleeve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If RFID tags are attached directly to inventory items, then tracking accessibility is improved, but the tags are prone to damage and detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dowel system as an intermediary component between the RFID tag and the inventory item. The dowel sleeve is inserted into a hole in the inventory item, and the RFID tag is attached to the dowel shaft, which protrudes from the sleeve. This intermediary structure protects the tag from direct contact with the inventory item while maintaining accessibility for scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the attachment system into separate functional components: a dowel shaft for tag attachment, a dowel sleeve for secure positioning within the inventory item, and a fastening mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively solving the security and accessibility problem.
2Ease of operation
If RFID tags are placed on visible surfaces of inventory, then scanning is easier, but tags are more susceptible to damage and detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The dowel shaft serves as a protective intermediary that holds the RFID tag in a protected position. The tag is attached to the shaft rather than directly to the inventory item surface, shielding it from mechanical damage while still allowing scanners to access the tag's electromagnetic field.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tag is nested on the dowel shaft, which is inserted into the dowel sleeve within the inventory item. This nested arrangement protects the tag while maintaining its functionality for scanning operations.
3Reliability
If RFID tags are securely fastened to prevent detachment, then tag security is improved, but accessibility for scanning may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The dowel shaft acts as a mediator that provides both secure retention through the sleeve fastening mechanism and maintains scanning accessibility by positioning the tag in a exposed location that scanners can access without compromising the secure attachment.
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 dowel system effectively prevents RFID tag damage and detachment, maintaining optimal scanning accessibility by securely positioning the tag within the inventory item.
Implementation Method 1
The contact portion(s) is/are positioned on opposed sides of the first surface two edges extending along a longitudinal axis of the dowel, each defining a side of the first surface. Each of the edges is configured to contact an inner surface of the dowel sleeve to frictionally retain the dowel in the dowel sleeve.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices and methods of tracking a piece of inventory are described herein. Each of the systems, devices and methods includes a dowel to be placed inside of a dowel sleeve of the piece of inventory. The dowel includes a first surface configured to be spaced apart from an inner surface of the dowel sleeve and to support a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag thereon. The dowel also includes a plurality of contact portions positioned around a periphery of the dowel, two of the contact portions being positioned on opposed sides of the first surface, each of the two contact portions having an edge extending along a longitudinal axis of the dowel to define a side of the first surface, each of the edges being configured to contact an inner surface of the dowel sleeve to frictionally retain the dowel in the dowel sleeve.