RFID Transponder Attachment to Electrical Conductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching transponders to electrical lines, especially for fully automated assembly of cable harnesses and switch cabinets, face challenges with thin lines where inscription is difficult and optical reading is error-prone, and transponders cannot be flexibly attached or read contactlessly.
Innovation Solution
A device with a fastening tool that allows transponders to be attached externally or inserted into the insulation of electrical lines, enabling contactless reading and flexible placement, using RFID chips that can operate in various frequency bands and be designed as powder tags or lithographically produced chips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If transponders are rigidly integrated within the cable during manufacturing, then the transponder is securely positioned, but the flexibility to attach at desired locations is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The transponder is pre-mounted on a support element (adhesive tape, carrier film, or insertion tool) before being attached to the cable. This preliminary preparation allows the transponder to be flexibly positioned at any desired location on the cable without requiring complex attachment mechanisms during the actual attachment process.
Solution Approach 2:
A support element acts as an intermediary between the transponder and the cable. This intermediary component (adhesive tape, carrier film, or insertion tool) simplifies the attachment process by providing a standardized interface that can be easily applied to the cable surface or inserted into the insulation, enabling flexible positioning without direct complex bonding between transponder and cable.
2Measurement precision
If markings are applied to thin conductors using inkjet printing, then identification information can be provided, but reading accuracy deteriorates due to difficulty in application and optical reading errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/optical marking systems (inkjet printing) with an RFID-based electromagnetic identification system. The transponder stores digital identification data that can be read contactlessly using electromagnetic fields, eliminating the need for physical markings on thin conductors and avoiding optical reading errors entirely.
3Ease of operation
If transponders are attached externally to the cable, then contactless reading is enabled, but the attachment process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin adhesive tapes or carrier films as support elements for mounting the transponder on the cable. These flexible thin-film structures enable easy external attachment without complex mechanisms, allowing the transponder to be securely positioned while maintaining contactless reading capability through the cable insulation.
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
Enables reliable, contactless identification and flexible attachment of transponders on electrical lines, improving the accuracy and efficiency of automated assembly processes, particularly for thin lines where traditional methods fail.
Implementation Method 1
The transponder can be configured to be read and/or written in one of the following frequency bands: 100 kHz, 125 kHz, 134 kHz, 13.56 MHz, 433 MHz, 868 MHz, 915 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 3 GHz, or 4 GHz
Data Source
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AI summary
Device (1) for attaching a transponder (2) to an electrical conductor (3), comprising: - a first feed device (4) through which transponders (2) can be fed to a mounting location (5) in the device (1), - a second feed device (6) through which a conductor (3) can be fed to the mounting location (5), and - a fastening tool (7) which is designed to fasten the transponder (2) fed by means of the first feed device (4) to the outside or in an insulation of the conductor (3) fed by means of the second feed device (6) at the mounting location (5).