Fluid Line Connector Assembly With RFID Securement Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector assemblies for fluid lines, especially in vehicle applications, require physical interaction and visual verification for proper and full engagement, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, particularly in automated or remote settings.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag and actuator member into the connector design, allowing for remote detection of proper and full securement through RF signals without the need for physical contact or visual inspection, enabling automated and robotic assembly and inspection processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visual measures and physical interaction are used to verify proper engagement, then engagement verification is achieved, but the process becomes cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and physical verification with an automated optical detection system. The system uses a camera to capture images of the connector assembly and processes these images to automatically verify proper engagement, eliminating the need for manual physical interaction while maintaining verification reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy (image) of the physical connector assembly state. By capturing images of the connector and processing these image copies, the system can verify engagement without requiring physical manipulation of the actual components, thereby improving efficiency while maintaining verification accuracy.
2Reliability
If manual inspection is required for connector engagement, then proper securement can be verified, but automated and robotic assembly processes are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes manual inspection mechanisms with an automated optical detection system. The camera-based system captures images and automatically processes them to verify securement, enabling robotic and automated assembly processes to operate without human intervention while maintaining reliable verification of proper connector engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the connector assembly process to self-verify through automated image capture and processing. The detection system automatically determines whether proper securement has occurred without requiring external manual inspection, thereby facilitating fully automated and robotic assembly operations.
3Measurement precision
If physical contact and visual inspection are used for detection, then engagement status can be confirmed, but the process requires manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical contact-based detection and visual inspection with a non-contact optical detection system. The camera captures images of the connector assembly, and image processing algorithms automatically determine engagement status, eliminating the need for manual physical contact or visual inspection while maintaining high detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses image copies to represent the physical state of the connector assembly. By analyzing these digital image representations, the system can accurately determine engagement status without requiring manual physical contact or visual inspection, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision.
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 reliable and efficient detection of fluid-tight joints in fluid line connectors, facilitating automated and remote inspection, reducing the need for manual intervention and improving manufacturing efficiency across various applications, including automotive, aircraft, and marine industries.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag and actuator member into the connector design, allowing for remote detection of proper and full securement through RF signals
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid line connector provides remote securement detection capabilities and is hence equipped for initial assembly, subsequent quality inspection, and subsequent service techniques that can be automated, robotic, and/or autonomous. The fluid line connector, in an embodiment, includes a body, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, and an actuator member. The body has a passage for fluid-flow therethrough. The RFID tag can communicate with an RFID interrogator and has a circuit with a break in the circuit. A portion or more, such as a surface, of the actuator member is composed of an electrically-conductive material. The electrically-conductive portion bridges the break when the actuator member is actuated.