RFID-Embedded Hose And Pipe Extrusion Without Delamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for embedding RFID chips in hoses and pipes are inefficient, leading to increased material consumption, risk of damage, and delamination, which affects the mechanical properties and reliability of the products.

Innovation Solution

Embedding an RFID structure with a carrier and fixedly arranged RFID chips in the axial direction of the hose or pipe blank, where the carrier is conductive and the antennas are twisted with the carrier, eliminating the need for winding and providing protection against external influences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If RFID chips are attached to the outside of the hose, then identification is possible, but additional effort is required and risk of loss or damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID chip is merged with the hose structure by embedding it within the wall during the extrusion process. The chip is positioned between the inner and outer layers of the hose wall, integrating the identification function directly into the hose rather than attaching it as a separate external component. This eliminates the need for separate attachment operations and reduces the risk of loss or damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If RFID chips are wound or spirally applied around the tube, then embedding is achieved, but consumption of RFID threads increases and winding devices are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveembedding reliabilityVSAvoidRFID thread consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID chip is extracted from the winding/thread configuration and positioned directly within the hose wall during extrusion. Instead of using a carrier thread that must be wound around the hose, the chip is placed directly into the molten material stream where it becomes embedded as the hose forms. This eliminates the need for winding operations and reduces material consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Manufacturing precision

If strip-shaped RFID carriers are used, then RFID chips can be arranged at intervals, but delamination of layers can occur affecting hose performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechip positioning precisionVSAvoidhose structural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID chip is positioned locally within the hose wall structure, embedded between the inner and outer layers rather than using a continuous strip carrier that spans across the hose. This localized placement allows the chip to be surrounded by the hose material on all sides, preventing delamination and maintaining the structural integrity and strength of the hose while still achieving precise positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3910219B1Method for manufacturing tubings and pipelines with RFID chips
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 CONTITECH USA INC
  • EP3910219B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing hoses and pipes with RFID chips (4A) in which the embedding of RFID chips (4B) in the hoses and pipes takes place without significant influence on the mechanical properties of the product and with low material consumption.The method comprises at least the following steps: a) providing a hose or pipe blank (1, 2, 3) made of at least one elastomeric and/or thermoplastic base material in a manufacturing device, wherein reinforcing elements may be embedded in the base material, b) introducing an RFID structure (4, 4A, 4B, 4C) into the outer layer (3) of the hose or pipe blank (1) in an axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hose or pipe blank (1) and synchronously with the feed rate of the manufacturing device, wherein the RFID structure has at least one carrier (4A) and wherein the RFID structure (4, 4A, 4B, 4C) has RFID chips (4B) fixedly arranged on the carrier (4A) at predetermined intervals.