RFID Reader Array Under Loading Surface for Logistics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current logistic terminal systems fail to prevent objects from being loaded onto incorrect transport vehicles, leading to inefficiencies and increased handling efforts due to back transportation and re-delivery, while also causing bottlenecks for industrial trucks accessing the loading area.
Innovation Solution
A logistic terminal system utilizing RFID tags on objects and strategically arranged RFID readers within the loading area, allowing for random access by industrial trucks, with the RFID readers defining separate loading dock areas and emitting radio-frequency signals with a vertical spatial distribution to minimize signal crosstalk, enabling accurate identification and prevention of incorrect loading without the need for cross-talk elimination procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RFID reader antennas are arranged at a portal to detect object movement direction, then object tracking capability is improved, but access bottleneck for industrial trucks occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID readers are transitioned from a portal-based configuration (blocking the path) to an arrangement within or underneath the loading surface (non-intrusive position). This spatial reconfiguration allows industrial trucks to access the loading area without passing through the RFID reader zone, eliminating the access bottleneck while preserving tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The loading surface acts as an intermediary medium that carries both the industrial trucks and the RFID readers. By embedding readers within or underneath the loading surface, the system mediates between the need for continuous truck access and the need for object detection, allowing both functions to coexist without interference.
2Device complexity
If a common portal is used for multiple loading docks, then structural simplicity is improved, but ability to identify wrong loading dock area is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The common portal structure is segmented into multiple distinct loading dock areas, each equipped with its own RFID readers. This segmentation allows the system to maintain the simplicity of a shared portal while providing precise identification and monitoring for each individual loading dock area through dedicated reader zones.
Solution Approach 2:
Each loading dock area within the common portal is assigned specific RFID readers with localized detection zones. This local quality assignment ensures that readers only detect objects at their designated loading dock, enabling precise identification of the correct loading area while utilizing the shared portal infrastructure.
3Area of stationary object
If RFID readers are arranged to cover large loading area, then detection coverage is improved, but signal crosstalk between adjacent loading docks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The loading area is segmented into multiple loading dock areas, each with its own RFID readers. This segmentation allows the system to achieve broad overall coverage while maintaining localized detection zones that minimize signal interference between adjacent docks.
Solution Approach 2:
RFID readers are positioned within or underneath the loading surface rather than above it, changing the spatial dimension of reader placement. This configuration creates vertically directed radio frequency signals that reduce horizontal signal spread and minimize crosstalk between adjacent loading docks while maintaining comprehensive area coverage.
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 ensures reliable and efficient loading by preventing objects from being loaded onto incorrect vehicles, maintaining random access for industrial trucks, and optimizing the loading process by dynamically adapting the size and shape of loading dock areas based on the number and location of RFID readers, thereby enhancing loading efficiency and reducing handling errors.
Implementation Method 1
the loading area comprises at least one array of RFID readers suitably arranged within or underneath the loading surface not to hamper the industrial trucks entering the loading surface and wherein at least a part of the array of RFID readers defines a separate loading dock area for collecting all objects to be loaded to a particular transport vehicle and provides a radio-frequency signal suitable to read-out the characteristic information of the RFID tags of the objects placed within the loading dock area in order to identify the objects not assigned to this loading dock area
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a logistic terminal (1) preventing the load (L) of objects (5) to wrong transport vehicles (6) not intended to transport these objects (5) while maintain random access of industrial trucks (4) to the loading area (2). The logistic terminal (1) comprises at least one loading area (2) with a loading surface (3) accessible for industrial trucks (4) to place objects (5) intended to be loaded (L) to transport vehicles (6) on top of this loading area (2), wherein the objects (5) comprise RFID-tags (51) providing characteristic information suitable to identify the objects (5), wherein the loading area (2) comprise at least one array of RFID readers (7) suitably arranged within or underneath the loading surface (3) not to hamper the industrial trucks (4) entering the loading surface (3) and wherein at least a part of the array of RFID readers (7) defines a separate loading dock area (2am 2b, 2c) assigned to objects (5) to be loaded (L) to a particular transport vehicle (6) and provides a radio-frequency signal (RF) suitable to read-out the characteristic information of the RFID tags (51) of the objects (5) placed within the loading dock area (2a, 2b, 2c) in order to identify the objects (5) not assigned to this loading dock area (2a, 2b, 2c)