Industrial Truck RFID Display Unit for Real-Time Transport Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional industrial truck systems rely on central data transmission for driving orders, which can lead to inefficiencies and errors in transport processes, as operators receive orders remotely and may not be immediately aware of the goods' transport conditions.

Innovation Solution

An industrial truck equipped with a decentralized transmitter and receiver unit, preferably using RFID transponders, reads data from loads and load carriers, allowing it to autonomously determine transport destinations and conditions, such as maximum permissible speed, and displays this information to the operator through a display unit, eliminating the need for central data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a central data transmission system is used to provide driving orders to operators, then the system structure is simple and centralized control is achieved, but the operator cannot access real-time transport information directly from goods and errors in transport orders are not immediately detectable

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveReal-time transport information availabilityVSAvoidSystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The industrial truck autonomously reads transport information directly from RFID transponders on goods and load carriers without requiring central system intervention. The evaluation unit on the truck itself processes the data and determines transport conditions, enabling the system to serve itself and eliminating information loss between central systems and operators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

RFID transponders serve as intermediaries carrying transport information on goods and load carriers. The transmitting and receiving unit on the industrial truck reads data from these transponders, which act as mediators between the goods and the truck's control system, providing real-time information access without complex central transmission infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If transport information is transmitted centrally via radio to the industrial truck, then the system requires less on-truck hardware, but the operator receives orders remotely and is not in close proximity to the goods for verification

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveOperator proximity to goods for verificationVSAvoidEnergy for radio transmission and data processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces radio frequency data transmission with direct electromagnetic reading of RFID transponders. The transmitting and receiving unit reads transport information directly from transponders on goods at close proximity, eliminating the need for continuous radio transmission and reducing energy consumption while improving operator access to transport data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the industrial truck reads data decenterally from loads and load carriers using RFID transponders, then real-time transport information is immediately available to the operator, but the device complexity increases with additional transmitting and receiving units

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccuracy of transport informationVSAvoidNumber of transmitting and receiving units
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transmitting and receiving unit is designed as a multi-functional device that performs multiple operations: reading RFID transponders on goods, reading transponders on load carriers, and providing data to the evaluation unit. This universal device reduces overall system complexity despite the decentralized information gathering approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the transmitting and receiving functions into a single integrated unit on the industrial truck. This merged device handles all RFID communication tasks, reducing the number of separate components needed while maintaining reliable direct reading capability for accurate transport information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional data terminals are used for central order transmission, then the system architecture is simplified, but transport processes cannot be adapted to specific goods and maximum permissible speed information is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAdaptability of transport processes to goodsVSAvoidData storage capacity on goods and load carriers
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Transport information including destination, transport conditions, and maximum permissible speed is pre-stored on RFID transponders attached to goods and load carriers before loading. This preliminary action ensures that all necessary transport data is already available on the goods themselves, enabling immediate adaptation of transport processes without requiring additional data storage capacity during transit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 simplifies transport processes by enabling operators to access real-time data directly from the goods and load carriers, reducing errors and improving operational efficiency by providing immediate and accurate transport information.

Implementation Method 1

The transmitting and receiving unit is preferably designed for transponders, with RFID transponders preferably being provided

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP1829813B1Industrial truck with a display unit for operators
Publication Date: 2011.07.06 JUNGHEINRICH AG
  • EP1829813B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The ground conveyor (10) has an indicating device (14) for operating person and with a sending-and receiving unit (20) aligned to the load receiving area. The sending-and receiving unit receives transmitted data from load goods (24) and from load bearing (28). The evaluating processor unit verifies received data from load good with respect to terms of conveyance and represents terms of conveyance at indicating device.