RFID Tagged Heavy Machine Tooth Detection and Location

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting and locating missing heavy machine teeth on buckets are costly and inefficient, as they only indicate when a tooth is missing without providing its location, leading to potential damage in crushers and unnecessary material removal.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an RFID tag on each heavy machine tooth and an RFID reader system to monitor the tooth's presence and location, allowing for real-time detection and diagnostic information when the tooth separates from the bucket, and providing alerts for quick retrieval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an expensive machine vision system is used to detect missing teeth, then detection capability is improved, but system cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetooth detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex machine vision system with a simple RFID detection system. Instead of using cameras and image processing algorithms to detect missing teeth, the system uses RFID tags attached to teeth and RFID readers to detect their presence, dramatically reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining detection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses inexpensive RFID tags attached to each tooth as a low-cost alternative to expensive vision systems. The RFID tags are simple, disposable components that can be easily replaced, eliminating the need for costly permanent installation of machine vision infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If machine vision system is used to detect missing teeth, then detection is achieved, but location information is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetooth detection capabilityVSAvoidtooth location information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID system provides immediate feedback not only on whether a tooth is missing but also its precise location. When the bucket rotates and passes over RFID readers positioned at different locations, the system receives feedback signals indicating which specific tooth positions are occupied or empty, providing complete location information for missing teeth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The detection system is segmented into multiple RFID readers positioned at different locations around the bucket. Each reader monitors specific tooth positions, and the system integrates information from all segments to provide complete detection and precise location data for each tooth on the bucket

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If crew manually searches for fallen teeth, then teeth can be located, but productivity is reduced due to material removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetooth location capabilityVSAvoidmaterial handling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID system performs preliminary detection and location of missing teeth before they cause problems. By detecting when a tooth falls off and locating it immediately, the system enables prompt retrieval before the tooth can contaminate large amounts of material or cause crusher damage, eliminating the need for lengthy manual searches and unnecessary material handling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If RFID tag is attached to each tooth, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetooth detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or optical detection systems with simple RFID electronic tags. Each tooth gets a small RFID tag that passively or actively transmits its presence information, providing high detection accuracy without adding mechanical complexity. The RFID technology simplifies the overall system by using well-established electronic components rather than complex mechanical sensors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 accurate and timely detection of missing teeth, preventing damage to equipment and reducing material loss by providing location information and diagnostic insights, thus improving operational efficiency and safety.

Implementation Method 1

coupling an RFID tag to the heavy machine tooth and positioning an RFID reader to read the RFID tag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10316497B2Metal tooth detection and locating

Publication Date: 2019.06.11 JOY GLOBAL SURFACE MINING INC

AI summary

Methods and systems for tracking heavy machine teeth. One system includes a heavy machine tooth configured to be mounted on a bucket of a heavy machine, an active RFID tag coupled to the heavy machine tooth to move with the tooth, and an RFID reader configured to read data from the RFID tag, The RFID reader is further configured to provide an indication regarding the location of the tooth when the tooth separates from the bucket based on the data read from the RFID tag and provide diagnostic information regarding the heavy machine tooth based on the data read from the RFID tag.