RFID Tag Layout for Industrial Vehicle Position and Direction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial vehicle navigation and control systems using radio frequency identification (RFID) tags face challenges in efficiently managing vehicle functionality and positional data within complex industrial facilities, particularly in ensuring safe and optimized operations near ingress/egress zones and along aisle paths.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a tag layout with double rows of tags arranged in an n × m matrix, where individual tags are spaced uniformly, and specific tag pairs define varying tag spacings to enable precise detection by sensors, allowing for the correlation of vehicle functionality with identified tags to control operational functions such as speed and height, and to implement vehicle-specific actions at entry and exit points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single row of tags is used along the aisle path, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of vehicle position and the reliability of detecting vehicle direction are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-row tag layout to a double-row tag layout arranged in an n×m matrix. This dimensional expansion from one row to two rows enables the system to detect not only vehicle position but also vehicle direction by determining which row is detected first, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The tag layout is segmented into distinct functional rows: an outer row for detecting vehicle entry into ingress/egress zones and an inner row for detecting vehicle exit. This segmentation allows each row to serve specific detection purposes, improving overall position and direction detection precision while maintaining manageable system complexity
2Measurement precision
If uniform tag spacing is used throughout the facility, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to provide precise detection at critical zones such as ingress/egress points is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements variable tag spacing where the tag spacing s' in the outer row is greater than the tag spacing s'' in the inner row. This local differentiation optimizes detection precision at critical zones (ingress/egress points) while maintaining uniform spacing patterns that simplify manufacturing and installation within each row
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spacing parameter between different tag rows to optimize performance. The outer row uses larger spacing suitable for detecting entry events, while the inner row uses smaller spacing for precise exit detection, allowing the system to adapt detection parameters to local operational requirements
3Reliability
If tags are placed only along the aisle path, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect and control vehicle operations in ingress/egress zones is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the tag layout from a single linear aisle path to a two-dimensional double-row matrix configuration. This enables the system to define and detect ingress/egress zones by bounding them with double rows of tags, significantly improving vehicle operation safety in these critical areas
Solution Approach 2:
The double row of tags is arranged in an n × m matrix of n tag rows and m tag columns, configured for successive detection of the inner and outer rows. This preliminary arrangement of tags in a structured matrix enables the system to proactively detect and control vehicle operations before incidents occur in ingress/egress zones
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an industrial facility is provided comprising a vehicle travel plane, at least one aisle path, a plurality of storage elements, and a tag layout. The aisle path and the tag layout are located on the vehicle travel plane, and the storage elements are arranged along, and on opposite sides of, the aisle path. The tag layout comprises at least one succession of individual tags spaced uniformly to define a tag spacing s'. The succession of individual tags is interrupted by at least one tag pair comprising a primary tag and a secondary tag. The primary tag and the secondary tag of each tag pair define a tag spacing s", and the tag spacing s' is greater than the tag spacing s". Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.