RFID Detection Grid for Rack Component Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing receiving devices with RFID technology face challenges in precisely determining the position of built-in components with varying dimensions and orientations, as the precise arrangement of RFID transponders is not specified, leading to uncertainties in component placement and detection within the receiving space.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a receiving device with a transponder grid corresponding to the installation grid, where device-specific RFID transponders are arranged along the receiving space, and their communication quality changes based on the presence or absence of built-in components, allowing for precise detection of installation positions through changes in communication quality, which can be manually or automatically controlled.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a large number of individual RFID antennas are arranged along the receiving space for short-range communication, then the detection precision of component positions is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving space is divided into multiple detection zones, each with its own RFID antenna. This segmentation allows precise localization of components by determining which specific zone a component occupies, thereby achieving high position detection precision without requiring a dense array of antennas throughout the entire space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

RFID transponders are introduced as intermediary elements attached to components. These transponders enable wireless communication between components and the detection system, eliminating the need for direct physical contact or complex sensor arrays while maintaining accurate detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If device-specific RFID transponders are distributed along the receiving space to detect installation positions, then the position determination accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functions are merged into the RFID transponder system: component identification, position detection, and occupancy status monitoring are all achieved through the same transponder infrastructure. This consolidation simplifies manufacturing compared to implementing separate systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID transponders serve multiple purposes: they identify individual components, determine their installation positions within the receiving space, and monitor occupancy status. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity and manufacturing requirements compared to using dedicated systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If RFID transponders are coupled with component-specific RFID transponders to detect presence and position, then the detection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Components equipped with RFID transponders actively participate in the detection process by automatically transmitting their identification and position information when within range of the detection antennas. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex active sensing systems on the receiving device side.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where RFID transponders continuously communicate their status to the detection system, which processes this information to determine component presence, position, and occupancy. This feedback mechanism enables accurate detection while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

This solution enables accurate detection and tracking of built-in components' positions and occupancy within the receiving device, ensuring precise inventory and efficient use of space, even with components of different dimensions and orientations.

Implementation Method 1

The communication or data transmission between the RFID transponder and the reader takes place by means of electromagnetic waves. At lower frequencies, this happens inductively via the electromagnetic near field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic waves: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The coupling provided for in WO 2009/091888 A1 between a component-specific RFID transponder and a device-specific RFID transponder is accomplished by establishing an electrical connection between the circuits of the two transponders, whereupon the two transponders transmit data

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2462790B1Receiving device with RFID detection of built-in components held therein, and RFID detection method
Publication Date: 2017.09.06 KILIAN DIETER
  • EP2462790B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2462790B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2462790B1 patent drawingFigure 6~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a receiving device, in particular a cabinet or rack, having a receiving space (12) for receiving built-in components (14) provided with RFID transponders (34), and having a detection device for detecting built-in components (14) accommodated, which is or can be connected to an evaluation device, and has at least one RFID antenna (32) for communication with the RFID transponders (34) of the incorporated built-in components (14). According to the invention, the receiving device (10) has a plurality of RFID transponders (36) arranged distributed along the receiving space (12), the transponder action of said RFID transponders can be changed as a function of a presence or absence of a built-in component (14) in the vicinity of the respective device-specific RFID transponder (36).