RFID Tagged Container System for Recovered Rubber Reuse

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the tire manufacturing process, complexed rubber products with varying properties are often not utilized efficiently due to storage and handling inefficiencies, leading to unmanaged and unidentifiable products that cannot be directly reused in mixing cycles.

Innovation Solution

A system of stacked containers with RFID identification and automated handling, allowing for precise identification, storage, and management of products recovered for reuse, ensuring their properties are known and utilized effectively in rubber mixtures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If products recovered for reuse are stored in piles without packaging or identification, then storage space is maximized and handling is simple, but the properties of the products cannot be managed or identified

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage system complexityVSAvoidproduct property information
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments recovered products into individually identifiable units by packaging each product in a container with a unique RFID tag. This segmentation allows the automated handling system to recognize, track, and manage each product's properties separately, resolving the contradiction between simple storage and information management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual identification and tracking methods with an automated RFID-based identification system. The RFID tags and readers enable automatic detection and management of product properties without complex manual tracking, reducing information loss while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If manual handling and identification of recovered products is used, then system complexity is low, but automation level and productivity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling automationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID tags serve multiple functions: identification, tracking, and property management. This universal identification approach enables full automation of handling operations without requiring multiple separate systems, thus increasing automation extent while controlling overall system complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The recovered products essentially identify themselves through the passive RFID tags embedded in their containers. The automated handling system reads these tags to automatically recognize and manage products, eliminating the need for manual identification and enabling full automation with minimal additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If recovered products are not packaged or identified, then packaging and identification costs are eliminated, but product properties cannot be controlled or managed for reuse

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct property controlVSAvoidpackaging and identification system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary packaging and RFID tagging of recovered products immediately after recovery. This preliminary action ensures that all products are properly identified and their properties recorded before entering the storage and reuse cycle, guaranteeing reliable property control from the outset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID tag acts as an intermediary between the recovered product and the management system. It carries and transmits product property information, enabling reliable property control and tracking throughout the reuse process without requiring complex direct monitoring systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If various complexed products are mixed in the same pile, then storage efficiency is maximized, but product differentiation and proper management become impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidproduct differentiation information
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments different complexed products into separate identifiable containers with RFID tags, even when stored in close proximity. This segmentation maintains storage efficiency while preserving the ability to differentiate and properly manage each product type through automated identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3781491B1System for processing products recovered for reuse
Publication Date: 2023.04.12 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)
  • EP3781491B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3781491B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3781491B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

In the field of the production of rubber products, a system (100) for processing, managing and extracting products recovered for reuse as feedstock products in a rubber mixing cycle.