RFID Temperature Sensing for Fault Detection in Work Machine Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural work machines face challenges in identifying fault conditions in components before they fail completely, due to the high cost and impracticality of implementing temperature sensors on moving parts and connecting them to a processing unit, especially in complex and costly machinery where warning signs may not be noticeable.

Innovation Solution

The use of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags with temperature sensing features is implemented on critical components of balers, allowing for wireless data transmission and processing to identify potential fault conditions, providing an indicator for operators through a user interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If temperature sensors are attached to moving parts and connected to a processing unit, then fault condition detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault condition detection capabilityVSAvoidsensor connection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional wired temperature sensors with RFID tags that have temperature sensing capability. The RFID tags communicate wirelessly with the processing unit, eliminating the need for physical wire connections to moving parts. This substitution of mechanical connection with wireless communication resolves the contradiction by maintaining detection capability while reducing connection complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID tag serves multiple functions: it provides identification through RFID communication and simultaneously functions as a temperature sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate temperature sensing devices and their associated wiring, thereby improving fault detection capability without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If powered beacons are used for wireless temperature sensing on moving parts, then fault detection capability is improved, but cost and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault detection capabilityVSAvoidcost and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs passive RFID tags instead of powered beacons. These RFID tags are inexpensive, require no battery or power source, and have no moving parts requiring maintenance. Their low cost and lack of maintenance requirements directly address the contradiction by providing reliable fault detection capability without increasing manufacturing cost or maintenance burden.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID tags are passive devices that do not require external power sources or maintenance. They automatically sense temperature and transmit data wirelessly when activated by the reader, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating maintenance requirements associated with powered devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If multiple temperature sensors are deployed across all potential failure locations, then measurement coverage is improved, but device complexity and cost become prohibitive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature monitoring coverageVSAvoidsensor network complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID tags provide universal identification and temperature sensing functionality across multiple locations. Each tag serves as both an identifier and a temperature sensor, allowing comprehensive monitoring coverage without the complexity of separate dedicated sensors at each location. This multi-functionality enables extended measurement coverage while controlling system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 early detection of fault conditions in agricultural machinery components, reducing costly downtime and improving reliability by providing a cost-effective and practical method for monitoring machine health, even in complex systems where traditional sensors are impractical.

Implementation Method 1

the RFID tag includes a temperature sensing feature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

RFID tags with temperature sensing features is implemented on critical components of balers, allowing for wireless data transmission

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio frequency identification:

Data Source

PatentUS11205337B1Radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor network for a work machine

Publication Date: 2021.12.21 DEERE & CO

AI summary

An agricultural work machine, an agricultural work machine control system, and method for an agricultural work machine having RFID tags to determine a fault condition of machine components, devices, parts or systems. The RFID tags are located on, at, or near machine components or systems to sense a temperature of those components or systems. A receiver/transmitter interrogates the RFID tags and receives the sensed temperatures, and component identifiers. A controller receives the temperatures from the receiver/transmitter and compares the received temperatures to a threshold to determine whether a fault condition exists. If so, the controller transmits an alert signal to a user interface to indicate that a fault condition exists with an identified component, part, device, or system.