RFID and Inductive Sensor Fusion for Absolute Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing position finding systems are either unreliable or costly, particularly in applications like crane systems in port areas where precise position determination over long distances is required, and they often need motion or stored values for accurate positioning.
Innovation Solution
A position finding system combining an RFID transponder reader unit, an inductive detector unit, and an analysis unit with a transmitter unit featuring an RFID transponder and a metallic component transmitter, allowing for immediate and precise absolute position determination without motion or stored values, using a combination of RFID and inductive sensing for enhanced accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID transponders and inductive sensors are used for position finding, then position determination reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines RFID transponder technology with inductive sensor technology into a single integrated position finding system. The sensor unit includes both an RFID reader unit and an inductive sensor unit that work together to read data from transmitter units equipped with both RFID transponders and inductive reference marks. This merging of multiple sensing modalities improves reliability through redundancy and cross-validation while achieving cost-effectiveness by sharing common infrastructure (reader units, processing electronics, power supply) between the two systems.
2Loss of time
If absolute position finding is achieved immediately without motion, then position determination speed is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables immediate absolute position determination by having the sensor unit read position data from transmitter units as soon as they come into sensing range, without requiring any motion or movement to occur first. The RFID reader unit and inductive sensor unit can immediately acquire position information from passively powered transmitter units that are already in place along the travel path. This eliminates the need for motion-based positioning methods while the integrated dual-sensor architecture manages complexity through shared processing.
3Measurement precision
If dual sensing modalities (RFID and inductive) are combined, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit merges RFID reader functionality and inductive sensor functionality into a single integrated device that can simultaneously or alternatively use both sensing modalities to determine position. The analysis unit processes data from both the RFID reader unit and inductive sensor unit, combining their respective position measurements to achieve higher precision through data fusion and cross-validation. This integrated approach improves measurement precision while managing complexity through shared hardware resources and unified processing logic.
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 system provides reliable and precise position determination, even over long distances, without the need for motion or stored values, and is cost-effective, ensuring robustness and reliability in safety-critical systems.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor unit comprises a first RFID transponder reader unit
Implementation Method 2
the inductive detector unit is configured for absolute position finding and outputs a second position value
Data Source
AI summary
Position finding system having a sensor unit and a transmitter unit. The sensor unit comprises a first RFID transponder reader unit, a first inductive detector unit, and an analysis unit connected to the RFID transponder reader unit and the inductive detector unit; the transmitter unit comprises an RFID transponder and a metallic material. The sensor unit is movable relative to the transmitter unit. The RFID transponder reader unit is configured for absolute position finding and outputs a first position value, and the inductive detector unit is configured for absolute position finding and outputs a second position value. The analysis unit is configured to determine, from the data acquired from the transmitter unit, an absolute position of the sensor unit from the first and second position values.