Wooden RFID Nail Structure for Direct Sensor Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nails for introducing objects or sensors into wood bodies often require pre-drilling, risk damaging tools with metal components, and lack efficient tracking and monitoring capabilities, especially in forestry and logistics where RFID transponders and sensors are needed for identification and environmental monitoring.

Innovation Solution

A nail with a cavity in a predominantly wooden body, designed for direct insertion using a pneumatic tool, accommodating sensors and RFID transponders, and optionally including a shock-absorbing auxiliary substance, allowing for biocompatible and efficient introduction of objects into wood without pre-drilling, enabling continuous monitoring and identification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If metal nails are used to introduce objects into wood, then the nail has high strength and can be driven directly into wood, but the metal nail interferes with signal transmission of RFID transponders and risks damaging woodworking tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidnail strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The nail body is made of composite material consisting of woody plant material combined with reinforcing elements (such as glass fibers, carbon fibers, or other reinforcement materials). This composite structure provides both the necessary mechanical strength for direct insertion into wood and the non-metallic properties required for RFID signal transmission without interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If glass fiber reinforced plastic nails are used, then RFID signal transmission is not interfered with, but the production is ecologically unfavorable and woodworking tools suffer increased wear

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRFID signal transmissionVSAvoidecological impact and tool wear
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The material composition parameters are changed from synthetic glass fiber reinforced plastic to natural woody plant material combined with environmentally friendly reinforcing elements. This parameter change reduces ecological impact while maintaining the non-metallic property needed for RFID signal transmission and reducing tool wear compared to traditional glass fiber reinforced plastics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The nail is made predominantly of woody plant material that is homogeneous in composition and similar to the wood into which it is inserted. This homogeneity reduces ecological impact by using biodegradable natural materials and minimizes tool wear by matching the mechanical properties of the target wood, making the nail less abrasive to woodworking tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

3Reliability

If wooden nails are used, then the nail is biocompatible and does not interfere with RFID signals, but the nail requires pre-drilling of a hole before insertion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiocompatibility and RFID signal compatibilityVSAvoidinsertion efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The composite material structure with woody plant material and reinforcing elements provides enhanced mechanical strength compared to pure wood, enabling the nail to be driven directly into wood without pre-drilling. The reinforcing elements increase the nail's ability to withstand insertion forces while maintaining the biocompatible, non-metallic properties needed for RFID compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3510858B1Nail, use of a nail and method for introducing objects into a body
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 BECK FASTENING GMBH AT
  • EP3510858B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3510858B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3510858B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a nail (1) for inserting objects, substances or the like into a body, comprising a nail body (2) which includes a shaft (3) and a tip (4) formed at one end of the shaft (3), wherein the nail body (2) has at least one, in particular exactly one, cavity for accommodating at least one RFID transponder (7) and/or at least one sensor (12), wherein the nail body (2) consists predominantly or entirely of lignified plant material and is designed to be suitable for driving into a body by means of a setting device, in particular a pneumatic nailer.