Bulk Rivet Container Locking and RFID Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
In manufacturing lines, distinguishing and ensuring the correct type of self-piercing rivets are fed to the appropriate riveting station is challenging due to variations in materials, processes, and coatings, and existing systems rely on single features like RFID tags which are not sufficient to prevent incorrect or non-genuine rivets from being fed into the transfer cabinet.
Innovation Solution
A bulk rivet container and transfer cabinet combination that incorporates multiple security features such as cooperating anti-cap removal components, a tamper-evident seal, anti-cover opening protrusions, orienting and locking mechanisms, and an integrated RFID system to ensure correct and genuine rivet feeding, utilizing a container presence sensor and locking mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access and ensure proper orientation and locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple security features (anti-cap removal components, tamper-evident seal, anti-cover opening protrusions, locking mechanisms) are integrated into the container system, then the reliability of preventing incorrect or non-genuine rivets is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container system is divided into multiple functional components: cap with anti-removal features, tamper-evident seal, anti-cover opening protrusions, locking mechanisms, and RFID tags. Each component performs a specific security function, and the segmentation allows for modular verification of rivet authenticity without requiring a single complex authentication system
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple security features are combined into an integrated container system where the cap, seal, protrusions, locking mechanisms, and RFID tags work together as a unified authentication system. The transfer cabinet's controller coordinates all these features to verify rivet genuineness, creating a comprehensive security solution that addresses reliability through combination rather than isolation of features
2Measurement precision
If RFID tags and other identification features are used to verify rivet authenticity, then the measurement precision of rivet identification is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tag acts as an intermediary carrier of authentication information, storing rivet identification data that can be read wirelessly by the transfer cabinet's controller. This intermediary approach allows for precise rivet identification without requiring direct physical inspection or complex measurement of the rivets themselves, simplifying the detection process while maintaining high accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual inspection methods with automated RFID reading and electronic verification systems. The controller automatically reads RFID tags, validates authentication data, and determines whether to feed rivets, eliminating the need for manual rivet inspection and significantly improving identification accuracy while reducing the complexity of human operation
3Object-affected harmful factors
If locking mechanisms and anti-removal components are implemented, then the protection against unauthorized access is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanisms and anti-removal components are designed to automatically engage and verify through the controller system. The container's security features self-verify their integrity and locking status without requiring manual intervention, maintaining ease of operation while providing robust protection against unauthorized access. The system automatically determines whether security conditions are met and controls rivet feeding accordingly
Data Source
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AI summary
A bulk rivet container (20) includes a cover (50) and an adjacent RFID tag (72), and the cover can be moveable between a closed position and an open position. A cover exterior has an opening recess (68). A peripheral side of the container includes an orienting protrusion (58) and a container locking recess (64). The container is designed to cooperate with a transfer cabinet (22) having a rivet entry passage (28) closable by a cabinet cover (80) to which an RFID reader (74) is coupled. The cabinet has a locking protrusion (66) and an opening protrusion (70) oriented about the cabinet entry passage. The orienting protrusion, the container locking recess, and the container opening recess is designed to be simultaneously couplable with the orienting recess, the container locking protrusion, and the container opening protrusion, respectively, while the RFID tag is simultaneously readable by the RFID reader.