RFID Tagged Thickness Gauge for Separation Distance Derivation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for measuring narrow separation distances between objects, such as capacitive gap measuring instruments and thickness gauges, face challenges in accuracy and human error, especially when dealing with non-conductive materials like carbon-fiber reinforced plastic, and may overestimate the separation distance due to blade insertion errors.

Innovation Solution

A separation distance derivation system using a thickness gauge with RFID tags on blades that can pivot around a central pin, allowing for contact-less communication with a reading device to accurately sum the blade thicknesses and derive the separation distance, reducing human error and improving precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a caliper is used to measure separation distance with blades inserted, then the measurement can be obtained all at once, but the caliper may derive a separation distance greater than the actual separation distance due to gaps between inserted blades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation distance measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical caliper measurement system with an RFID-based identification system. Instead of relying on mechanical gap measurement that introduces errors, the system uses RFID tags on blades to store and transmit thickness information wirelessly, eliminating the need for mechanical reading and reducing human error in the measurement process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy of the blade thickness information through RFID tags. Rather than physically measuring the gap with a caliper, the system stores the precise thickness data in RFID tags attached to the blades, allowing for accurate retrieval and summation without physical measurement errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If multiple blades are selectively inserted and summed to obtain separation distance, then the measurement can be performed with high resolution, but human error increases in the selection and summation process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation distance resolutionVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system makes the thickness information self-contained on the blades themselves through RFID tags. Each blade carries its own thickness identification, and the reading device automatically retrieves and processes this information without requiring manual intervention for selection or calculation, making the process both precise and simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The reading device provides automatic feedback by reading the RFID tags and calculating the total separation distance. The system gives immediate feedback on the measurement result without requiring manual summation, reducing human error and simplifying the operation while maintaining high resolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If a wedge guide bar is inserted into the gap, then the measurement does not depend on object material, but only the opening separation distance can be measured, not the substantial separation distance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial independenceVSAvoidseparation distance accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the measurement function by attaching individual RFID tags to each blade rather than using a single wedge mechanism. This allows the system to measure the substantial separation distance by summing the thicknesses of multiple blades, while maintaining material independence since the RFID reading process does not depend on the objects being measured.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 enables precise and efficient measurement of separation distances between objects, enhancing accuracy and convenience while avoiding human error, and is applicable to various materials and structures with high resolution and precision.

Implementation Method 1

RFID tags respectively fixed to part of the blades, with these RFID tags readably storing thickness information corresponding to the thickness of the respective blades

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification):

Implementation Method 2

an RF receiver for establishing contact-less communication with the RFID tags and reading the thickness information

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS8832951B2Separation distance derivation system and thickness gauge

Publication Date: 2014.09.16 SUBARU CORP

AI summary

There is provided a separation distance derivation system and a thickness gauge. The separation distance derivation system has a thickness gauge that includes: a plurality of blades having first ends inserted between objects; and RFID tags respectively fixed to part of the blades and storing readably thickness information corresponding to the thickness of the respective blades. The separation distance derivation system has also a reading device that includes an RF receiver for establishing contact-less communication with the RFID tags and reading the thickness information, and a controller for summating the thicknesses of the blades, as denoted by the read thickness information, to derive thereby a separation distance.