JP2007241600A - Rfid tag - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide RFID tags allowing the state of parts to be easily confirmed without disassembling an assembly regarding the RFID tags provided at a plurality of parts which constitute the assembly. <P>SOLUTION: The RFID tag comprises a storage means for storing parts information for identifying the part 3, a transmitting means capable of transmitting parts information, and a transmission preventing means for preventing transmission of parts information by the transmitting means when the part 3 is put in a predetermined state. With this constitution, parts information is transmitted from the RFID tag 1 before the part 3 is put in the predetermined state, and transmission of parts information from the RFID tag 1 is prevented by the transmission preventing means when the part 3 is put in the predetermined state. The state of the part 3 can thereby be confirmed by the presence/absence of transmission of parts information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an RFID tag provided on each of a plurality of parts constituting an assembly such as an automobile.

Conventionally, an RFID tag is attached to a component of an assembly, and the replacement date is known from the date of manufacture, the date of start of use, etc. written on the RFID tag (for example, see Patent Document 1). .
JP 2005-55831 A (paragraph number 0119)

  However, for example, when the excessively high temperature continues, such as a part of an exhaust pipe catalyst of an automobile (assembly), the function of the part may be deteriorated. May need to be replaced before the expected replacement time. In particular, when this part is placed inside an assembly such as an automobile, in order to confirm whether or not the part is in a normal state, it cannot be inspected unless the assembly is disassembled. It was troublesome.

  In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to provide an RFID tag that can easily check a component state without disassembling an assembly.

  To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a storage means for storing part information for identifying a part and a transmission means capable of transmitting the part information in an RFID tag provided in a plurality of parts constituting the assembly. And transmission blocking means for blocking transmission of component information by the transmission means when the component is in a predetermined state.

  According to such a configuration, the component information is transmitted from the RFID tag before the component is in the predetermined state, and the transmission of the component information from the RFID tag is blocked by the transmission blocking unit when the component is in the predetermined state. The state of the component can be confirmed by the presence or absence of transmission.

  For example, when the function of the component stops or decreases when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature state as the predetermined state, the component is connected to the antenna and one end of the antenna, and the component via the storage unit and the antenna An RFID tag including an IC chip having the transmission means for transmitting information and a substrate that supports the antenna and the IC chip is provided in the component, and a predetermined temperature state is provided at a connection portion between the antenna of the RFID tag and the IC chip. Then, a melting part is provided as the transmission preventing means for melting and blocking the connection between the antenna and the IC chip, and when the component reaches the predetermined temperature state, the melting part melts and the antenna and the IC chip are connected. It may be configured such that transmission of component information is blocked by blocking.

  In addition, the IC chip is a first IC chip, the melting part is a first melting part that melts at a first temperature or higher as the predetermined temperature, and one end of the antenna is parallel to the first IC chip. A second IC chip connected to the antenna, and the substrate is disposed so as to be positioned at a connection portion between the antenna and the second IC chip, and the antenna melts when the component becomes a second temperature lower than the first temperature. A second melting section for cutting off the connection with the second IC chip; storing the first state information in the storage means of the first IC chip; and storing the second state information in the storage means provided in the second IC chip. It is preferable to make it.

  According to this, when the temperature of the component becomes equal to or higher than the second temperature, the second melting portion is melted, and the second state information stored in the storage unit of the second IC chip is not transmitted. That is, when the temperature of the component is equal to or higher than the second temperature and lower than the first temperature, only the first state information stored in the storage unit of the first IC chip is transmitted, and the temperature of the component is the first temperature. Before reaching the temperature, it can be guided that the part will soon be in a predetermined temperature state (first temperature state) that stops or reduces its function. Therefore, replacement and repair of parts can be promptly promoted, and failure of parts can be avoided in advance.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the component state management system of the embodiment, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the RFID tag of the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection portion for connecting the antenna and the IC chip.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an RFID tag 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided in a component 3 such as an exhaust pipe catalyst of an automobile 2 as an assembly. When the component 3 reaches a first temperature (predetermined temperature) t as a predetermined state (predetermined temperature state, first temperature state), its function is stopped or lowered.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the RFID tag 1 includes an antenna 11 that forms a coil, two IC chips 12 and 13 that include storage means (not shown), and a substrate that supports the antenna 11 and the IC chips 12 and 13. 14. Further, the IC chips 12 and 13 include transmission means (not shown) that transmits component information via the antenna 11, and the component information transmitted by the transmission means is received by the reader 4 shown in FIG.

  The storage means of the IC chip 12 stores first state information such as a caution state before the component 3 reaches the first temperature t. The storage means of the IC chip 13 stores the first state information lower than the first temperature t. 2nd state information, such as a normal state before reaching 2 temperature t-deltat, is memorized. The IC chips 12 and 13 are provided with capacitors (not shown). The RFID tag 1 is set so that the resonance frequency of a resonance circuit composed of an antenna 11 constituting a coil and a capacitor provided in the IC chips 12 and 13 matches the carrier wave of the reader 4. The tag 1 is caused to resonate at this frequency, and the information stored therein is read.

  The substrate 14 is provided with a first melting portion 14a that is located at a connection portion between the antenna 11 and the IC chip 12 and melts at a first temperature t. Further, a second melting portion 14b is provided that is located at a connection portion between the antenna 11 and the IC chip 13 and melts at the second temperature t−Δt. The other part of the substrate 14 is formed of a resin or the like that can withstand a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature t.

  The reader 4 receives the component information and the first and second state information transmitted from the RFID tag 1 when the temperature of the component 3 is lower than the second temperature t−Δt. When the reader 4 receives the second status information, the reader 4 determines that the component 3 is normal and displays that fact on a display screen (not shown).

  When the component 3 becomes equal to or higher than the second temperature t−Δt, as shown in FIG. 2B, the second melting part 14b is melted, and the connection between the antenna 11 and the IC chip 13 is cut off. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the disconnection portion 11 a is formed at a location where the second melting portion 14 b of the antenna 11 is provided. Then, the metal foil 11b is embedded so that the surface is exposed in the second melting portion 14b. Both ends of the metal foil 11b are in contact with each other so as to electrically connect the disconnected portion 11a of the antenna 11. A gap 14c is provided below the second melting portion 14b. When the component 3 becomes equal to or higher than the second temperature t−Δt, the second melting part 14b melts and falls together with the metal foil 11a into the gap 14c. In this way, the connection between the antenna 11 and the IC chip 13 is cut off, and the RFID tag 1 cannot transmit the component information and the second state information stored in the storage unit of the IC chip 43.

  Therefore, the RFID tag 1 transmits only the component information and the first state information stored in the storage unit of the IC chip 42. At this time, the reader 4 displays that the component 3 is in a caution state on a display screen (not shown). Therefore, the driver 4 can notify the driver and the like that the component 3 will soon be replaced, and can promptly replace the component 3 at an early stage.

  Further, when the component 3 reaches the first temperature t, the component 3 stops or reduces its function. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2C, the first melting portion 14a is melted, and the connection between the antenna 11 and the IC chip 12 is cut off in the same manner as when the second temperature t−Δt is reached. For this reason, the reader 4 cannot receive the component information and the first and second state information of the RFID tag 1, and displays that the component 3 has entered the replacement period. Therefore, the driver or the like can confirm by the reader 4 that the component 3 has failed or that the function of the component 3 has deteriorated, and easily confirms that the component 3 needs to be repaired or replaced immediately. be able to.

  According to the RFID tag 1 of the embodiment, it is possible to easily confirm whether or not the component 3 is functioning normally by the reader 4 without disassembling the vehicle 2 with respect to the component 3 inside the vehicle 2. For this reason, the maintenance of the component 3 becomes easy.

  In the embodiment, the description has been made on the basis of the state (predetermined temperature state) that has reached the first temperature (predetermined temperature) t of the component 3 as the predetermined state, but the predetermined state is not limited to this, for example, A connection state between components, a predetermined expansion of the component, a predetermined distortion, or the like may be used as a reference. For example, when the connection state between the components is used as a reference, the connection between the antenna 11 and the IC chip 42 may be cut off by opening the interval between the components more than a predetermined interval at which the function stops or decreases. .

  At this time, when it is desired to notify not only when the replacement time is entered as in the embodiment but also that the replacement time is about to be reached, for example, the two IC chips 12 and 13 are attached to the RFID tag 1 as in the embodiment. In addition, an elastic member having a different elastic coefficient is provided on the substrate 14, and the connection between the antenna 41 and the IC chips 42, 43 is released when the substrate 14 is opened at a predetermined interval or more or a certain length narrower than the predetermined interval. What is necessary is just to comprise.

  In addition, instead of the elastic member, a connecting portion is provided so that the connecting portions of the antenna 11 and the IC chips 12 and 13 overlap each other, and the antenna 41 and the IC chips 42 and 43 are connected when they are opened by a predetermined distance or more. You may comprise so that a part may not overlap and both contact may be cancelled | released.

  In the embodiment, the RFID tag 1 provided with two IC chips has been described. However, three or more IC chips may be provided. In this case, for example, third state information that can maximize the function of the component 3 may be stored in the third IC chip.

Explanatory drawing which shows the component state management system of embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the RFID tag of embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the connection part which connects an antenna and IC chip.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... RFID tag, 11 ... Antenna, 12, 13 ... IC chip, 14 ... Board | substrate, 14a ... 1st fusion | melting part, 14b ... 2nd fusion | melting part, 2 ... Automobile (assembly), 3 ... Components, 4 ... Reader.

Claims (3)

In the RFID tag provided in a plurality of parts constituting the assembly,
Storage means for storing component information for identifying the component;
A transmission means capable of transmitting parts information;
An RFID tag comprising: a transmission blocking unit that blocks transmission of component information by the transmission unit when the component is in a predetermined state. The predetermined state is a predetermined temperature state in which the function of the component stops or decreases,
An antenna, an IC chip connected to one end of the antenna and having the storage means and the transmission means for transmitting component information via the antenna, and a substrate for supporting the antenna and the IC chip,
The transmission blocking means is a melting portion that is provided on the substrate so as to be positioned at a connection portion between the antenna and the IC chip, and melts when the component reaches the predetermined temperature or higher and blocks the connection between the antenna and the IC chip. The RFID tag according to claim 1, wherein: The IC chip is a first IC chip, and the melting part is a first melting part that melts at a first temperature or higher as the predetermined temperature,
A second IC chip connected to one end of the antenna so as to be in parallel with the first IC chip;
Provided on the substrate so as to be located at a connection portion between the antenna and the second IC chip, and when the component reaches a second temperature lower than the first temperature, it melts to cut off the connection between the antenna and the second IC chip. A second melting part,
3. The RFID tag according to claim 2, wherein the first state information is stored in the storage unit of the first IC chip, and the second state information is stored in a storage unit provided in the second IC chip.

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