Granted Patent B2

US 12,423,535 · App. 18/528,372 · Granted Sep 23, 2025

Inventors: Daniel Wenzel (Wipperfürth, DE); Ulrich Geschwentner (Schwarmstedt, DE)

Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.

G06K7/10366F16L2201/10

Abstract

Claims (42)

1. A detection apparatus for detecting a coupling state of a connection apparatus having a first element with a retaining element and a second element with a retaining element receiving slot having a cutting groove, the first element and the second element configured to connect with one another such that the retaining element receiving slot receives the retaining element when the connection apparatus achieves a final assembly position, the detection apparatus comprising:

a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag configured to provide a detection signal,

indicating a current state of the connection apparatus and having an RFID chip, an antenna, and a connection portion that defines a target breaking point,

wherein the RFID tag is configured to attach to the second component such that the connection portion traverses the retaining element receiving slot, and

wherein the RFID tag is configured to indicate at that the final assembly position of the connection apparatus is achieved by deactivating the detection signal when the retaining element physically severs the connection portion adjacent the target breaking point of the RFID tag.

2. The detection apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the connection portion comprises two lead frames, that connect the RFID chip to the antenna, electrically, and

wherein the detection signal is deactivated when one or more of the two lead frames is physically severed.

3. The detection apparatus according to claim 2 ,

wherein the target breaking point is formed by a constricted region of the connection portion.

4. The detection apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the RFID tag is imprinted onto a carrier material, wherein the carrier material is formed from paper or natural fibers.

5. The detection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first element is a socket element and the second element is a plug element.

6. A detection system comprising:

a connection apparatus having a first element with a retaining element and a second element with a retaining element receiving slot having a cutting groove,

wherein the first element and the second element configured to connect with one another such that the retaining element receiving slot receives the retaining element when the connection apparatus achieves a final assembly position; and

a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag configured to provide a detection signal indicating a current state of the coupling apparatus and having an RFID chip, an antenna, and a connection portion, that defines a target breaking point,

wherein the RFID tag is attached to the second component such that the connection portion traverses the retaining element receiving slot, and

wherein the RFID tag is configured to indicate that the final assembly position is achieved deactivating the detection signal when the retaining element physically severs the connection portion, adjacent the target breaking point of the RFID tag.

7. The detection system according to claim 6 ,

wherein the retaining element comprises a contour or a cutting surface configured to sever the connection portion.

8. The detection system according to claim 6 , further comprising:

a control apparatus having a detection antenna, wherein the control apparatus is configured to determine whether the detection signal is signal present or the deactivated to determine whether the final assembly position of the connection apparatus is achieved.

9. The connection apparatus according to claim 6 ,

wherein the connection portion comprises two lead frames that connect the RFID chip to the antenna electrically, and

wherein the detection signal is deactivated when one or more of the two lead frames is physically severed.

10. The connection apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the target breaking point comprises a cutting furrow formed therein.

11. The connection apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the RFID tag is imprinted onto a carrier material.

12. The connection apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the carrier material is formed from paper or natural fibers.

13. The connection apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the first element is a socket element and the second element is a plug element.

14. A method for detecting a coupling state of a connection apparatus having a first element with a retaining element and a second element with a retaining element receiving slot with a cutting groove, the first element and the second element configured to connect with one another such that the retaining element receiving slot receives the retaining element when the connection apparatus achieves a final assembly position, the method comprising the following steps:

connecting the first element and the second element of the connection apparatus,

wherein the connection apparatus is coupled with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag configured to provide a detection signal indicating a current state of the coupling apparatus and having an RFID chip, an antenna, and a connection portion, that defines a target breaking point, and

wherein the RFID tag is attached to the second component such that the connection portion traverses the retaining element receiving slot;

achieving the final assembly position of the connection apparatus in which the first element and the second element are fully connected to one another in a final assembly position,

wherein a severing feature formed in or on the retaining element is configured to physically sever at least a portion of the connection portion when the first element and the second element achieve the final assembly position; to deactivate the detection signal, and

wherein the RFID tag is configured to indicate that the final assembly position is achieved by deactivating the detection signal when the retaining element physically severs the connection portion adjacent the target breaking point of the RFID tag.

15. The method according to claim 14 , further comprising the following steps:

receiving the detection signal by means of a detection antenna;

detecting the detection signal by means of a control device; and

providing information that the final assembly position is achieved.

16. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the first element is a socket element and the second element is a plug element.

Assignments (1)

Priority Claims (2)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (19)