JP2010262541A - Rfid tag - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an RFID tag deformed into a state to thin a thickness when carrying and storing an object to be attached, and restored to a state of securing a sufficient space with respect to a metal face when transceiving. <P>SOLUTION: The RFID tag includes a nonmetallic carrying plate 3 for carrying an RFID inlet 2, and a variable spacer 4 allowing transformation between a developed state for holding the carrying plate 3 in a position separated with a prescribed space from an outer face 15 of a metal object 14 to be attached, and a folded state for holding the carrying plate 3 in a position approached near to the outer face 15 of the object 14 to be attached. A thickness of the RFID tag 1A gets thereby variable, by transforming the variable spacer 4 into the developed state or the folded state in response to requirement. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an RFID tag used by being attached to a metal attachment.

  An RFID tag such as a non-contact type IC tag used in an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system includes an IC chip and an antenna, and uses an electromagnetic wave between an input / output device (reader / writer) and is non-contact type. It has a function that can send and receive signals such as commands and data. When this RFID tag enters an effective electromagnetic wave zone radiated by the antenna on the input / output device side, the RFID tag antenna generates an induced electromotive force, which becomes an operating state by the electric power, and commands, data, etc. from the input / output device. In response to the command signal, the received data is stored in a memory capable of reading and writing data included in the IC chip, or the data stored in the memory is transmitted to the input / output device. In recent years, it has been introduced in a wide range of fields such as transportation / leisure field, logistics field, security field, factory production field, environmental field, etc.

  When such an RFID tag is directly attached to a metal attachment, it is known that the transmission / reception function is extremely lowered or transmission / reception is disabled. Therefore, conventionally, a non-metallic spacer made of synthetic resin or rubber is disposed on the back surface of the RFID tag, and the RFID tag is attached to a metal attachment object via the spacer, thereby the RFID tag antenna and the metal. A reduction in transmission / reception function is suppressed by separating the surface (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2009-9205 ("0004", Fig. 5)

  By the way, when using a spacer as described above, it is necessary to increase the thickness of the spacer and secure a sufficient space between the antenna of the RFID tag and the metal surface in order to suppress the deterioration of the transmission / reception function. If the thickness of the spacer is increased, the size of the entire RFID tag including the spacer increases, and this protrudes from the outer surface of the attached object, which causes a problem that the attached object becomes bulky during transportation and storage. .

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and is deformed so that the thickness is reduced during transportation and storage of the attached object, and a sufficient space is ensured between the metal surface during transmission and reception. An object of the present invention is to provide an RFID tag that can be restored to a state.

  The present invention includes an IC chip having a memory for storing data in a rewritable manner and an antenna connected to the IC chip, and an RFID having a function of transmitting and receiving the data in a contactless manner with a predetermined input / output device. An inlet, a non-metallic carrier plate for supporting the RFID inlet, an unfolded state in which the carrier plate is held at a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the metal attachment object, and the attachment plate is attached to the attachment plate An RFID tag comprising a variable spacer that can be converted into a folded state that is held at a position close to the outer surface of an object.

  Here, the RFID inlet is configured by supporting an IC chip and an antenna on a synthetic resin sheet, or by supporting an IC chip and an antenna on a synthetic resin sheet and covering them with a synthetic resin outer package. Can be configured.

  In the RFID tag, the variable spacer is provided so as to be able to expand and fold by pivotally connecting the end portions of the two bowl-shaped members, and one end thereof is rotatable on the back surface of the carrier plate. A configuration is proposed that is composed of a plurality of spacers that are pivotally connected and pivotally connected at the other end to the outer surface of the attachment.

  In addition, the variable spacer is provided in a pair of left and right folding wall portions that can be folded in two, and arranged in a direction perpendicular to both the folding wall portions between the two folding wall portions so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. Front and back that can be converted into a support position in which the front end abuts the outer surface of the object to be attached and holds both folding wall portions in an unfolded state, and a retreat position in which both folding wall portions can be folded by rotating from the support position. The structure which consists of a housing-like spacer member provided with a pair of support wall part is proposed.

  Furthermore, the structure provided with the attachment board which attaches a variable spacer to the outer surface of a metal to-be-attached object is proposed.

  In addition, a configuration is proposed in which a stopper is provided that is stretched over the support plate and the mounting plate and holds the folded state of the variable spacer.

  Further, the RFID tag having the stopper includes a non-metallic protective cover body that extends from the outer peripheral edge of the carrier plate obliquely outward and can be elastically deformed to reach the outer surface of the metal attachment object. A configuration is proposed.

  As described above, the present invention includes an IC chip having a memory for storing data in a rewritable manner and an antenna connected to the IC chip, and transmits / receives the data to / from a predetermined input / output device in a contactless manner. An RFID inlet having a function, a non-metallic carrier plate carrying the RFID inlet, a deployment state in which the carrier plate is held at a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the metal attachment object, and a carrier Since the RFID tag includes a variable spacer that can be converted into a folded state that holds the plate in a position close to the outer surface of the attachment object, one end of the variable spacer is attached to the outer surface of the metal attachment object. After mounting, the non-metallic carrier plate carrying the RFID inlet is attached to the metal by placing the variable spacer in an unfolded state through the unfolding operation of the variable spacer. It can be held from the outer surface to the position where is spaced at predetermined intervals. Thus, in the state where the carrier plate is held at a predetermined interval from the outer surface of the metal attachment object, a predetermined interval is secured between the RFID inlet and the metal surface of the attachment object. Since the deterioration of the transmission / reception function is suppressed, data transmission / reception by the RFID inlet can be performed without any trouble. On the other hand, at the time of transporting and storing the attachment object, the support plate is brought close to the outer surface of the attachment object by bringing the variable spacer into a folded state through the folding operation of the variable spacer. As a result, the thickness of the RFID tag is reduced and the protrusion width from the outer surface of the attached object is reduced, so that the bulkiness of the attached object due to the thickness of the RFID tag can be eliminated. As described above, in the present invention, the thickness of the RFID tag can be easily changed as necessary by the operation of expanding or folding the variable spacer.

  In the RFID tag, the variable spacer is provided so as to be able to expand and fold by pivotally connecting the end portions of the two bowl-shaped members, and one end thereof is rotatable on the back surface of the carrier plate. The structure is simple and the variable spacer can be formed easily and inexpensively by being composed of a plurality of spacers pivoted and pivotally connected at the other end to the outer surface of the attachment. In addition, the unfolding and folding operations can be easily performed.

  In addition, the variable spacer is provided in a pair of left and right folding wall portions that can be folded in two, and arranged in a direction perpendicular to both the folding wall portions between the two folding wall portions so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. Front and back that can be converted into a support position in which the front end abuts the outer surface of the object to be attached and holds both folding wall portions in an unfolded state, and a retreat position in which both folding wall portions can be folded by rotating from the support position. Even if it is composed of a case-like spacer member with a pair of support walls, the structure is simple, so variable spacers can be formed easily and inexpensively, and unfolding and folding operations can be performed easily. Can do.

  Moreover, in the structure provided with the attachment plate which attaches a variable spacer to the outer surface of a metal attachment object, a variable spacer can be easily attached to the outer surface of an attachment object by this attachment plate part.

  Furthermore, in the configuration provided with a stopper that is stretched between the carrier plate and the mounting plate and holds the folded state of the variable spacer, data can be transmitted and received by the RFID inlet even when the mounted object is not transported or stored. When it is not necessary to perform the operation, the folded state of the variable spacer 4 can be reliably held by the stopper, and the variable tag 4 is unfolded inadvertently and the RFID tag 1D collides with the surrounding one. It is possible to prevent the RFID tag 1D from dropping out or being damaged or malfunctioning.

  Furthermore, the RFID tag has a non-metallic protective cover body that extends obliquely outward from the outer peripheral edge of the carrier plate and reaches the outer surface of the metal attachment object. In this case, the protective cover body can follow the change in state of the variable spacer that changes between the expanded state and the folded state through its elastic deformation action, and the impact applied to the variable spacer from the side by the protective cover body. In addition, it is possible to prevent foreign substances from entering the lower portion of the carrier plate and to protect the RFID inlet carried on the carrier plate.

1 is an external perspective view of an RFID tag 1A according to a first embodiment. It is an enlarged view of the principal part in FIG. The spacer 5 which comprises the variable spacer 4 is shown, (A) is an expanded state, (B) is an enlarged view of a folded state. The RFID tag 1A attached to the outer surface 15 of the attachment 14 is shown, (A) is a developed state of the variable spacer 4, and (B) is a longitudinal sectional view of the folded state of the variable spacer 4. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing at the time of use of RFID tag 1A. It is an external appearance perspective view of RFID tag 1B concerning a 2nd example. The RFID tag 1B attached to the outer surface 15 of the attachment 14 is shown, (A) is an unfolded state of the variable spacer 4, (B) is an explanatory view showing an upward rotation operation of the support wall, (C) FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the variable spacer 4 in a folded state. An RFID tag 1C according to a third embodiment is shown, in which (A) is an external perspective view, and (B) is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the RFID tag is attached to an outer surface 15 of an attachment 14. 4A and 4B show an RFID tag 1D according to a fourth embodiment, in which (A) is an external perspective view, and (B) is a longitudinal sectional view in a state of being held in a folded state by a stopper 25. FIG. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view showing an RFID tag 1E according to a fifth embodiment, with a protective cover body 28 separated. (A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the expanded state of the variable spacer 4 in the RFID tag 1E, and (B) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the variable spacer 4 in a folded state.

Below, the 1st Example of this invention is described based on FIGS.
The RFID tag 1 </ b> A includes an RFID inlet 2, a carrier plate 3 that carries the RFID inlet 2, and a variable spacer 4 attached to the carrier plate 3.

  The RFID inlet 2 includes an IC chip and an antenna electrically connected to the IC chip, and the IC chip and the antenna are disposed on a synthetic resin insulating sheet. The RFID inlet 2 is a non-contact type battery-less type that can transmit and receive signals such as commands and data without contact with an input / output device (reader / writer) (not shown). The RFID inlet 2 may be one in which an IC chip and an antenna are disposed on an insulating sheet and this is covered with a synthetic resin outer package. The RFID inlet 2 may operate in any band such as an HF band (for example, 13.56 MHz) and a UHF band (for example, 953 MHz or 2.45 GHz).

  The support plate 3 is formed in a flat rectangular shape using a non-metallic material such as a synthetic resin, and the RFID inlet 2 is fixed and supported on the back surface of the support plate 3 with an adhesive or an adhesive tape. . On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the variable spacer 4 has hinges 7 at the ends of the two rod-like members 6 and 6 formed in a prismatic shape using a non-metallic material such as a synthetic resin. The four spacers 5 are provided so as to be unfoldable and foldable by being pivotably connected to each other, and one end of each spacer 5 is rotated to the four corner positions on the back surface of the support plate 3 via hinges 8. It is pivotally connected. Further, the other end of each spacer 5 is rotatably attached to the outer surface 15 of the metal attachment 14 via the hinge 9. Each spacer rod 5 is unfolded in a linear state when the opposed butted surfaces 10 and 10 of the end portions of the two rod-shaped members 6 and 6 pivoted by the hinge 7 are brought into contact with each other by a rotating operation ( On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3 (A), when the rotation is performed in a direction in which the butted surfaces 10 and 10 are separated from this unfolded state, the folded state is converted into a folded state (see FIG. 3 (B)). It has become. Here, the hinges 9 for attaching the other ends of the spacers 5 to the outer surface 15 of the metal attachment 14 are pivotally connected by the support shaft 11 like the other hinges 7 and 8. The one rotating piece 12a is fixed to the other end of the spacer 5 and the other rotating piece 12b is attached to the outer surface 15 of the attachment 14 by the adhesive tape 13. ing. Instead of the adhesive tape 13, an adhesive layer may be provided on the back surface of the rotating piece 12b, and the rotating pieces 12a and 12b of the hinge 9 may be formed of a ferromagnetic material such as an iron plate. Alternatively, the rotating piece 12b can be magnetized, and the rotating piece 12b can be attached to the outer surface 15 of the metal attachment 14 by its attracting action.

  When the four spacer rods 5 constituting the variable spacer 4 are in the unfolded state, the carrier plate 3 carrying the RFID inlet 2 is spaced from the outer surface 15 of the attachment 14 by a predetermined distance as shown in FIG. Is held at a position away from each other. Further, when the spacers 5 are folded into a folded state by a folding operation, the carrier plate 3 is held at a position close to the outer surface 15 of the attachment 14 as shown in FIG. In addition, it is preferable to set the space | interval which the support plate 3 spaces apart from the outer surface 15 of the to-be-attached thing 14 to about 1 cm in the expansion | deployment state of each spacer rod 5 which comprises the variable spacer 4. FIG.

  FIG. 5A shows a state in which the RFID tag 1A is attached to the outer surface 15 of the side wall of the metal container as the attachment 14. In this state, when the variable spacer 4 is converted into the unfolded state, the RFID inlet 2 carried on the carrier plate 3 is held at a predetermined interval from the outer surface 15 of the attachment 14 (FIG. 4 ( A)) and the transmission / reception function is prevented from being lowered, so that data can be transmitted / received by the RFID inlet 2 without any trouble.

  On the other hand, when the attachment 14 is transported or stored, the variable spacer 4 is converted into a folded state so that the carrier plate 3 is held close to the outer surface 15 of the attachment 14 (FIG. 4 ( B)). As a result, the thickness of the RFID tag 1A is reduced and the protruding width of the attached object 14 from the outer surface 15 is reduced. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, the attached object 14 due to the thickness of the RFID tag 1A is reduced. Bulkiness can be eliminated.

  In the first embodiment, each spacer rod 5 constituting the variable spacer 4 is rotated by inserting a support shaft through a portion where the end portions of the two rod-shaped members are overlapped in the thickness direction. It is also possible to form it so that it can be unfolded and folded by providing an appropriate stopper that can be pivoted and that holds the unfolded state where the two hook-shaped members are linear. Further, the support plate 3 is not limited to a rectangular shape, and may have other shapes such as a circle, a triangle, and a polygon.

  6 and 7 show a second embodiment. In the RFID tag 1B of the second embodiment, the variable spacer 4 is constituted by a housing-like spacer member 16 made of a nonmetallic material such as a synthetic resin. . The housing-like spacer member 16 is connected via a hinge 18 and is foldable between the pair of left and right folding wall portions 17 and 17 and provided with a pair of left and right folding wall portions 17 and 17. It is provided with a pair of front and rear support walls 19, 19 arranged in a direction orthogonal to the walls 17, 17 and provided so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. The upper ends of the folding wall portions 17 and 17 and the support wall portions 19 and 19 are pivotally connected to the back surface of the carrier plate 3 via hinges 20 and 21, and the lower ends of the folding wall portions 17 and 17 are attached. The object 14 is pivotally connected to the outer surface 15 via a hinge 22 so as to be rotatable. Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, the support wall portions 19 and 19 have their tips abutted against the outer surface 15 of the attachment 14 by the downward rotation operation so that the folding wall portions 17 and 17 are unfolded. As shown in FIG. 7B, the support position held in the state can be converted into a retreat position where both the folding wall portions 17 and 17 can be folded by an upward rotation operation from the support position. It has become.

  In such a configuration, the support wall portions 19 and 19 of the housing-like spacer member 16 are rotated downward, and the front ends thereof are brought into contact with the outer surface 15 of the attachment 14 so that the folding wall portions 17 and 17 are both folded. Is converted to a support position for holding the RFID inlet 2 in a deployed state, whereby the carrier plate 3 carrying the RFID inlet 2 is held at a position spaced apart from the outer surface 15 of the metal attachment 14 at a predetermined interval (FIG. 7 ( A)) and the transmission / reception function is prevented from being lowered, so that data can be transmitted / received by the RFID inlet 2 without any trouble.

  On the other hand, when the attachment object 14 is transported or stored, as shown in FIG. 7B, the support wall portions 19 and 19 of the housing-like spacer member 16 are rotated upward to the retracted position. By converting and folding both the folding wall portions 17, 17, the carrier plate 3 is held close to the outer surface 15 of the attachment 14 (see FIG. 7C). As a result, the thickness of the RFID tag 1B is reduced and the protruding width of the attached object 14 from the outer surface 15 is reduced, so that the bulkiness of the attached object 14 due to the thickness of the RFID tag 1B can be eliminated.

  FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment, and the RFID tag 1C of the third embodiment includes a mounting plate 23 for mounting the variable spacer 4 to the outer surface 15 of the metal attachment 14. The mounting plate 23 is formed in the same shape as the support plate 3 using a synthetic resin or a metal plate, and the adhesive layer 24 (see FIG. 8B) provided on the back surface of the mounting plate 14 is attached. It can be attached to the outer surface 15. Ends of four spacer rods 5 constituting the variable spacer 4 are pivotally connected to the surface of the mounting plate 23 via hinges 9. A release paper (not shown) is detachably attached to the adhesive layer 24, and the adhesive surface is protected by the release paper until it is attached to the outer surface 15 of the attachment 14. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 24 can be provided by applying a pressure-sensitive adhesive on the back surface of the mounting plate 23 or by sticking a double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. Further, instead of the adhesive layer 24, a magnet may be disposed on the mounting plate 23 and may be attracted to the outer surface 15 of the metal attachment 14 by the magnetic force of the magnet. Furthermore, when the mounting plate 23 is formed of a ferromagnetic material such as an iron plate, the ferromagnetic material may be subjected to a magnetization process. In the illustrated example, the variable spacer 4 including the four spacers 5 is used, but the variable spacer 4 may be used as the case-like spacer member 16 of the second embodiment instead.

  In such a configuration, the variable spacer 4 can be easily attached to the outer surface 15 of the attachment 14 by the attachment plate 23.

  FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment, and an RFID tag 1D according to the fourth embodiment includes stoppers 25 and 25 that are stretched over the carrier plate 3 and the mounting plate 23 and hold the folded state of the variable spacer 4. ing. The stoppers 25, 25 are disposed in the vicinity of the edge of the upper surface of the carrier plate 3 in the front-rear or left-right pair. Each stopper 25 is formed of a substantially U-shaped hook, and one end of the hook is pivotally connected via an attachment member 26 fixed in the vicinity of the edge of the upper surface of the carrier plate 3 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. In addition, a pair of engagement grooves 27 and 27 with which the other ends of the stoppers 25 and 25 can be engaged are formed on the edge of the mounting plate 23.

  In such a configuration, in order to use the stoppers 25 and 25, the variable spacer 4 is folded, and the other ends of the stoppers 25 and 25 are engaged with the engaging grooves 27 and 27 of the mounting plate 23 in this state. Thus, as shown in FIG. 9B, the folded state of the variable spacer 4 can be maintained. Thus, when it is not necessary to transmit / receive data by the RFID inlet 2 even when the attachment 14 is not transported or stored, the folded state of the variable spacer 4 can be securely held, and the variable spacer is inadvertently moved. It is possible to prevent the RFID tag 1D from dropping off or being damaged or malfunctioning when the RFID tag 1D collides with the surrounding objects when the 4 is in the unfolded state.

  In the fourth embodiment described above, the stoppers 25, 25 are disposed on the carrier plate 3 and the engaging grooves 27, 27 are disposed on the mounting plate 23. It is also possible to reverse the arrangement relationship between the engagement groove 27 and the engagement grooves 27 and 27. In addition, the stoppers 25, 25 are substantially U-shaped hooks. Instead, a hook provided with a hook-and-loop fastener at the tip of a pair of flat strips or a hook that can be engaged and disengaged at the tip of the pair of flat strips. It may be provided.

  10 and 11 show a fifth embodiment. An RFID tag 1E according to the fifth embodiment includes an elastically deformable protective cover body 28 that covers a side portion between the carrier plate 3 and the mounting plate 23. FIG. . The protective cover body 28 includes a truncated pyramid-shaped inclined plate portion 30 extending obliquely downward from the four edges of the substrate portion 29 fixed to the upper surface of the support plate 3. The corner part of the location is divided by the cut 31. When the variable spacer 4 is in the unfolded state (see FIG. 11A) in which the variable spacer 4 holds the carrier plate 3 at a position separated from the outer surface 15 of the attachment 14, the inclined plate portion 30 is attached to the attachment 14. The length is formed so as to contact the outer surface 15. As a material of the protective cover body 28, an elastic synthetic resin or synthetic rubber is used. When the protective cover body 28 having such elasticity is provided, the above-described stoppers 25, 25 are also provided in order to maintain the folded state of the variable spacer 4, and the protective cover body 28 has the stopper 25, Openings 32 and 32 for avoiding interference with 25 are formed. Further, when such a protective cover body 28 is provided, the RFID inlet 2 can be fixed to the surface side of the carrier plate 3.

  In this configuration, when the variable spacer 4 is selectively converted into the folded state (see FIG. 11B) and the unfolded state (see FIG. 11A), the protective cover body 28 is elastically deformed. Is followed by the state change of the variable spacer 4. Thereby, since the side part between the supporting plate 3 and the mounting plate 23 can always be covered with the protective cover body 28, the impact applied from the side to the variable spacer 4 and the entry of foreign matter into the lower part of the supporting plate 3 Can be prevented, and the RFID inlet 2 carried on the carrier plate 3 can be protected.

  The protective cover body 28 can also be provided by integrally forming the inclined plate portion 30 with the carrier plate 3.

1A to 1E RFID tag 2 RFID inlet 3 Supporting plate 4 Variable spacer 5 Spacer rod 6 Rod-shaped member 14 Attachment 15 Outer surface 16 Housing-shaped spacer member 17 Folding wall portion 19 Support wall portion 23 Mounting plate 25 Stopper 28 Protective cover body

Claims (6)

An RFID chip having an IC chip having a memory for storing data in a rewritable manner and an antenna connected to the IC chip, and having a function of transmitting and receiving the data in a contactless manner with a predetermined input / output device;
A non-metallic carrier plate carrying the RFID inlet;
Can be converted into an unfolded state in which the carrier plate is held at a position spaced from the outer surface of the metal attachment by a predetermined distance, and a folded state in which the carrier plate is held at a position close to the outer surface of the attachment. An RFID tag comprising a variable spacer.   A variable spacer is provided so that it can be unfolded and folded by pivoting the ends of the two hook-shaped members, one end pivotably pivoted to the back surface of the carrier plate, and the other end The RFID tag according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of spacer rods pivotably connected to an outer surface of the attachment object. Variable spacer
A pair of left and right folding walls that can be folded in two;
The folding wall portion is disposed in a direction orthogonal to the folding wall portions and is provided so as to be pivotable in the vertical direction. The tip abuts against the outer surface of the attached object and holds the folding wall portions in an unfolded state. It comprises a housing-like spacer member provided with a support position and a pair of front and rear support wall portions that can be converted into a retracted position that is pivotable from the support position so that both folding wall portions can be folded. The RFID tag according to claim 1.   The RFID tag according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an attachment plate for attaching the variable spacer to an outer surface of a metal attachment object.   5. The RFID tag according to claim 4, further comprising a stopper that is stretched over the support plate and the mounting plate and holds the folded state of the variable spacer.   6. The RFID according to claim 5, further comprising an elastically deformable non-metallic protective cover body extending obliquely outward from the outer peripheral edge of the carrier plate and reaching the outer surface of the metal attachment object. tag.

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