RFID Tag Housing Elevation for Metal Interference Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
RFID tags attached to receptacles often experience poor reading due to misalignment and physical shielding, particularly when mounted on metal surfaces or between multiple receptacles, leading to inefficient data transmission.
Innovation Solution
An RFID tag housing that extends upwards from the receptacle, maintaining the tag at a spacing above the top, with an attachment arrangement that secures to the receptacle's framework or metallic element, preventing rotation and interference, and utilizing a monopole antenna with a ground plane for improved signal reception and emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the RFID tag is mounted directly on the receptacle surface, then the installation is simple, but the reading reliability deteriorates due to misalignment and shielding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent elevates the RFID tag from the receptacle surface to a higher position using an extension structure. The tag holder extends upwardly from the receptacle surface, positioning the tag above the top surface of the receptacle. This dimensional change allows the tag to be read from various angles and distances, improving reading reliability while avoiding shielding from goods within the receptacle.
2Reliability
If the RFID tag is mounted on metal surfaces, then the attachment is secure, but the signal radiation deteriorates in directions at 90° to the normal axis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-conductive tag holder as an intermediary between the metal receptacle surface and the RFID tag. The tag holder is formed from non-conductive material and includes an extension that positions the tag above the metal surface. This intermediary structure prevents the metal surface from interfering with the tag's signal radiation while maintaining secure attachment.
3Reliability
If the RFID tag is positioned on the side of the receptacle, then the installation is easy, but the tag is shielded by goods within the receptacle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the RFID tag in the vertical dimension above the receptacle rather than on the lateral surface. The tag holder extends upwardly from the top surface of the receptacle, elevating the tag above the goods contained within. This allows the tag to be accessed and read from above, avoiding shielding by goods that would block lateral access.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the receptacle orientation varies during movement, then the transport flexibility is improved, but the RFID tag alignment with the reader deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the RFID tag vertically above the receptacle on the tag holder extension, rather than on the lateral surface. This vertical positioning allows the tag to maintain a consistent upward-facing orientation regardless of how the receptacle is oriented during transport. The tag can be read from above by portable readers or fixed readers positioned overhead, maintaining alignment independence from receptacle orientation.
Data Source
AI summary
An RFID tag housing is disclosed. The housing can include a tag holder, which holds an RFID tag, and an attachment arrangement for attaching the housing to a receptacle. The attachment arrangement may also prevent rotation about a frame member of the receptacle to which the housing is attached. The housing can hold an RFID tag at a spacing above the receptacle's framework, allowing the tag to be read over the top of the receptacle and its contents, as well as other receptacles positioned nearby. This spacing can also allow use of the framework as a ground plane for the RFID tag antenna.