JP2023082846A - Rfid tag pitch conversion apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To manufacture a carrier sheet with a plurality of RFID tags attached thereto in a simple configuration.SOLUTION: An RFID tag pitch conversion apparatus has a first fold-back guide for folding back a first carrier sheet CS1, a second fold-back guide for folding back a second carrier sheet CS2 such that a folded-back end Ce2 of the second carrier sheet CS2 faces a folded-back end Ce1 of the first carrier sheet CS1, and a recovery device 134 for recovering a second RFID tag 50 from the first carrier sheet CS1. The first fold-back guide and the second fold-back guide face each other across a gap D that is smaller than the arrangement-direction size Sw of the RFID tags 50. A feeding speed of the second carrier sheet CS2 is adjusted such that the distance between first and third RFID tags 50 on the second carrier sheet CS2 is smaller than the distance between first and third RFID tags 50 on the first carrier sheet CS1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an RFID tag pitch conversion device that packs a plurality of RFID tags pasted on a first carrier sheet into a second carrier sheet and re-sticks them.

For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a manufacturing method in which an RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) label (RFID tag) attached to a roll sheet (carrier sheet) is inspected and the RFID label determined to be defective is recovered from the roll sheet. An apparatus is disclosed. In this manufacturing apparatus, a non-defective RFID label is affixed to the space left by peeling off the defective RFID label. Specifically, a good RFID label is re-attached to an empty space from another roll sheet to which a plurality of good RFID labels are attached.

Japanese Patent No. 5312094

However, in the case of the manufacturing apparatus described in Patent Literature 1, it is necessary to separately prepare a roll sheet to which only a plurality of non-defective RFID labels are attached, which takes time and effort. Moreover, since a feeding device is required to feed the roll sheet, the manufacturing apparatus becomes complicated.

Therefore, the present invention provides an RFID tag pitch conversion device that creates a carrier sheet to which a plurality of RFID tags are attached, without requiring a separate carrier sheet to which a plurality of RFID tags are attached, whereby the structure is An object of the present invention is to provide a simplified RFID tag pitch conversion device.

In order to solve the above technical problems, according to one aspect of the present invention,
An RFID tag pitch conversion device that replaces the first to third RFID tags attached to the first carrier sheet with the second carrier sheet,
a first sheet feeding device that feeds the first carrier sheet in the arrangement direction of the first to third RFID tags on the first carrier sheet;
a first folding guide that guides and folds the first carrier sheet;
a second sheet feeder for feeding the second carrier sheet;
a second folding guide for folding back the second carrier sheet so that the folded end of the second carrier sheet faces the folded end of the first carrier sheet;
a recovery device that separates and recovers the second RFID tag from the first carrier sheet,
The first folding guide and the second folding guide are opposed to each other with a gap smaller than the size of each of the first to third RFID tags in the arrangement direction,
In the second sheet feeding device, the distance between the first RFID tag and the third RFID tag on the second carrier sheet is equal to the distance between the first RFID tag on the first carrier sheet and the third RFID tag on the second carrier sheet. An RFID tag pitch conversion device is provided that adjusts the feeding speed of the second carrier sheet so as to be smaller than the distance between the third RFID tags.

According to the present invention, an RFID tag pitch conversion device for creating a carrier sheet with a plurality of RFID tags attached thereto, without requiring a separate carrier sheet with a plurality of RFID tags attached, whereby the structure is A simplified RFID tag pitch conversion device can be provided.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing re-sticking of RFID tags from a first carrier sheet to a second carrier sheet by the RFID tag pitch conversion device according to Embodiment 1; Disassembled perspective view of RFID tag Perspective view of wireless communication device in RFID tag RFIC module exploded perspective view Equivalent circuit diagram of wireless communication device Schematic configuration diagram of RFID tag pitch conversion device according to Embodiment 1 A perspective view showing an RFID tag to be reattached from the first carrier sheet to the second carrier sheet. Block diagram showing the control system of the RFID tag pitch converter Perspective view showing RFID tag recovery device recovering RFID tags A diagram showing how the RFID tag collection device collects RFID tags at different timings. Schematic configuration diagram of RFID tag pitch conversion device according to Embodiment 2

An RFID tag pitch conversion device according to one aspect of the present invention is an RFID tag pitch conversion device that replaces first to third RFID tags attached to a first carrier sheet with a second carrier sheet, a first sheet feeding device that feeds the first carrier sheet in the arrangement direction of the first to third RFID tags on the carrier sheet; and a first folding guide that guides and folds the first carrier sheet. and a second sheet feeding device for feeding the second carrier sheet, and the second carrier such that the folded end of the second carrier sheet faces the folded end of the first carrier sheet. a second folding guide for folding back a sheet; and a recovery device for separating and recovering the second RFID tag from the first carrier sheet, wherein the first folding guide and the second folding guide are opposed to each other with an interval smaller than the size of each of the first to third RFID tags in the arrangement direction, and the second sheet feeding device moves the first RFID tag on the second carrier sheet and the third RFID tag is smaller than the distance between the first RFID tag and the third RFID tag on the first carrier sheet, the second Adjust the feeding speed of the carrier sheet.

According to such an aspect, the RFID tag pitch conversion device for creating a carrier sheet to which a plurality of RFID tags are attached does not require another carrier sheet to which a plurality of RFID tags are attached, thereby It is possible to provide an RFID tag pitch conversion device with a simplified structure.

For example, the RFID tag pitch conversion device may further include an RFID tag inspection device that inspects the first to third RFID tags on the first carrier sheet. In this case, the recovery device is a recovery device for recovering the RFID tag determined to be defective by the RFID tag inspection device, and the second RFID tag is the RFID tag determined to be defective by the RFID tag inspection device. is a tag.

For example, the recovery device may transfer the second RFID tag to the folded end of the second carrier sheet in a state where the second RFID tag is partly separated from the first carrier sheet by folding the first carrier sheet. You can collect it before it arrives. Since the part is peeled off, the recovery device easily peels off the second RFID tag from the first carrier sheet.

For example, the RFID tag pitch conversion device may have a printing device that prints a defective product determination mark on the second RFID tag, and a defective product detection sensor that detects the defective product determination mark. In this case, the recovery device recovers the second RFID tag based on the detection result of the defective product detection sensor.

For example, the defective product detection sensor includes a first defective product detection sensor arranged on the upstream side in the feeding direction of the first carrier sheet and a second defective product detection sensor arranged on the downstream side. , the first sheet feeding device reduces the feeding speed of the first carrier sheet when the first defective product detection sensor detects the defective product determination mark, and the collecting device reduces the feeding speed of the first carrier sheet; The second RFID tag may be collected based on the detection timing of the defective product determination mark by the defective product detection sensor. The deceleration of the first carrier sheet facilitates the retrieval of the second RFID tag from the first carrier sheet by the retrieval device.

For example, the RFID tag inspection device may inspect the communication performance of the first to third RFID tags.

For example, the first to third RFID tags may have meandering antennas extending in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the first carrier sheet. This makes it easier for the RFID tag to peel off at the folded edge of the first carrier sheet.

For example, the RFID tag pitch conversion device has an edge detection sensor that detects the leading ends of the first and third RFID tags, and the second sheet feeding device detects the edge detection result based on the edge detection sensor. , the feeding speed of the second carrier sheet may be adjusted. This facilitates movement of the first and third RFID tags from the first carrier sheet to the second carrier sheet.

For example, the first carrier sheet and the second carrier sheet may be different parts of one carrier sheet. In this case, the first carrier sheet is the part of the one carrier sheet on the upstream side in the feeding direction of the first and second sheet feeding devices, and the second carrier sheet is the part of the first carrier sheet. It is the part of said one carrier sheet downstream with respect to the carrier sheet.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows re-sticking of RFID tags from a first carrier sheet to a second carrier sheet by the RFID tag pitch conversion device according to the first embodiment. The uvw coordinate system in the drawing is for facilitating understanding of the invention, and does not limit the invention. The u-axis direction indicates the longitudinal direction of the RFID tag, the v-axis direction indicates the width direction, and the w-axis direction indicates the thickness direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of RFID tags 50 are replaced from the first carrier sheet CS1 to the second carrier sheet CS2 by the RFID tag pitch conversion apparatus according to the first embodiment.

For example, in the first to third RFID tags 50A to 50C attached to the first carrier sheet CS1 in a continuous state, the second RFID tag 50B is peeled off, and the first and third RFID tags 50A are separated. , 50C are packed in the second carrier sheet C2 and re-pasted. At this time, the RFID tag pitch conversion device compares the distance (pitch) pa between the first and third RFID tags 50A and 50C on the first carrier sheet CS1 after the second RFID tag 50B is peeled off. The first and third RFID tags 50A and 50C are separated from the first carrier sheet CS1 so that the distance (pitch) p between the first and third RFID tags 50A and 50C on the second carrier sheet CS2 becomes small. Replace with the second carrier sheet CS2. In the case of Embodiment 1, the RFID tag pitch conversion device packs and reattaches a plurality of RFID tags 50 so that they are arranged at a constant pitch p on the second carrier sheet CS2.

First, the structure of the RFID tag 50 will be explained. After that, the RFID tag pitch conversion device will be explained.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the RFID tag.

As shown in FIG. 2, the RFID tag 50 includes a wireless communication device 10 as its main body, a label sticker 52 covering and protecting the antenna pattern and the like on the wireless communication device 10, and first and second RFID tags 50. 2 carrier sheets CS1, CS2 and an adhesive layer 54 for adhering to an article to which the RFID tag 50 is attached.

The label sticker 52 of the RFID tag 50 has a printable printing surface 52a and an adhesive surface 52b that adheres to the wireless communication device 10. As shown in FIG. Adhesive layer 54 is also repeatable and is, for example, a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a wireless communication device in an RFID tag;

As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless communication device 10 is strip-shaped and used as a part of an RFID tag 50. As shown in FIG.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 , the wireless communication device 10 has an antenna member 12 and an RFIC (Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuit) module 14 provided on the antenna member 12 .

The antenna member 12 of the wireless communication device 10 has a strip shape (an elongated rectangular shape), and is provided on an antenna base 16 and one surface 16a of the antenna base 16 (first main surface 12a of the antenna member 12). and an antenna pattern 18 formed by the antenna.

The antenna base material 16 is a flexible sheet-like member made of an insulating material such as polyimide resin. As shown in FIG. 3, the antenna substrate 16 also includes surfaces 16a, 16b that function as the first major surface 12a and the second major surface 12b of the antenna member 12. As shown in FIG. Since the antenna substrate 16, which is the main component of the antenna member 12, is flexible, the antenna member 12 can also be flexible.

The antenna pattern 18 is used as an antenna for wireless communication between the wireless communication device 10 and an external communication device (for example, a reader/writer device when the wireless communication device 10 is used as an RFID tag). In the case of the first embodiment, the antenna patterns 18A and 18B are conductor patterns made of metal foil such as silver, copper, and aluminum.

Further, in the case of Embodiment 1, the antenna pattern 18 is composed of first and second antenna patterns 18A and 18B.

In the case of Embodiment 1, the first and second antenna patterns 18A and 18B are dipole antennas and have a meandering shape. Also, each of the first and second antenna patterns 18A and 18B extends from the central portion of the antenna substrate 16 in the longitudinal direction (u-axis direction) toward both ends of the antenna substrate 16 .

Center side ends of the antenna substrate 16 of the first and second antenna patterns 18A and 18B are electrically connected to terminal electrodes of the RFIC module 14, although the details will be described later.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the RFIC module. FIG. 5 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a wireless communication device.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the RFIC module 14 is a device that performs wireless communication via first and second antenna patterns 18A and 18B at a communication frequency of, for example, the 900 MHz band, that is, the UHF band.

As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the RFIC module 14 is a multi-layer structure. Specifically, the RFIC module 14 includes two laminated thin insulating sheets 20A and 20B made of an insulating material as a module base material, which is a main component. Each of the insulating sheets 20A and 20B is a flexible sheet made of an insulating material such as polyimide or liquid crystal polymer.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the RFIC module 14 includes an RFIC chip 22 and terminal electrodes 24A and 24B (first and second terminal electrodes) connected to the RFIC chip 22. FIG. The RFIC module 14 also includes a matching circuit 26 provided between the RFIC chip 22 and the terminal electrodes 24A and 24B. A laminate made up of the insulating sheets 20A and 20B, which are module base materials, has a larger planar dimension than the RFIC chip 22 . More specifically, in plan view of the main surface of the module substrate on which the RFIC chip 22 is provided, the external dimensions of the module substrate are larger than the external dimensions of the RFIC chip 22 (RFIC dimensional relationship that can include chip 22).

The RFIC chip 22 is a chip driven at a UHF band frequency (communication frequency), and has a structure in which various elements are embedded in a semiconductor substrate made of a semiconductor such as silicon. The RFIC chip 22 also has a first input/output terminal 22a and a second input/output terminal 22b. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the RFIC chip 22 has an internal capacitance (capacitance: self-capacitance of the RFIC chip itself) C1. Here, the areas of the terminal electrodes 24A and 24B are larger than the areas of the first input/output terminal 22a and the second input/output terminal 22b. Thereby, the productivity of the wireless communication device 10 is improved. The reason for this is that compared to aligning the first and second input/output terminals 22a, 22b of the RFIC chip 22 directly on the center side edges of the respective first and second antenna patterns 18A, 18B, the RFIC chip 22 can This is because it is easier to align the module 14 with the antenna patterns 18A and 18B.

Further, the RFIC chip 22 is incorporated in the RFIC module 14, which is a multi-layer structure, as shown in FIG. Specifically, the RFIC chip 22 is placed on the insulating sheet 20A and sealed in a resin package 28 formed on the insulating sheet 20A. The resin package 28 is made of, for example, an elastomer resin such as polyurethane or a hot-melt resin. This resin package 28 protects the RFIC chip 22 . In addition, the resin package 28 improves the bending rigidity of the RFIC module 14 having a multi-layer structure composed of the flexible insulating sheets 20A and 20B (compared to the rigidity of the insulating sheets alone). As a result, the RFIC module 14 containing the RFIC chip 22 can be handled by a parts supply device such as a parts feeder, which will be described later, in the same way as electronic parts (for reference, the RFIC chip 22 alone can be handled by chipping or the like). cannot be handled by a parts feeder, etc.).

The terminal electrodes 24A, 24B are conductive patterns made of a conductive material such as silver, copper, aluminum, etc., and are formed on the inner surface 20Ba (first provided on the surface opposite to the main surface 14a and facing the insulating sheet 20A). That is, in the case of the present embodiment, the terminal electrodes 24A and 24B are built inside the RFIC module 14 without being exposed to the outside. Moreover, the terminal electrodes 24A and 24B are rectangular in shape. These terminal electrodes 24A and 24B are electrodes for electrically connecting (i.e., capacitive coupling) to the center side ends of the first and second antenna patterns 18A and 18B via pressure-sensitive adhesive layers. be.

As shown in FIG. 5, the matching circuit 26 provided between the RFIC chip 22 and the terminal electrodes 24A, 24B is composed of a plurality of inductance elements 30A-30E.

Each of the plurality of inductance elements 30A to 30E is configured by a conductor pattern provided on each of the insulating sheets 20A and 20B.

Conductive patterns 32 and 34 made of a conductive material such as silver, copper, and aluminum are provided on the outer surface 20Aa (the surface on which the resin package 28 is provided) of the insulating sheet 20A of the RFIC module 14 . Each of the conductor patterns 32 and 34 is a spiral coil pattern, and has land portions 32a and 34a for electrically connecting to the RFIC chip 22 at the outer peripheral side ends. The land portion 32a and the first input/output terminal 22a of the RFIC chip 22 are electrically connected, for example, via solder or a conductive adhesive. Similarly, the land portion 34a and the second input/output terminal 22b are also electrically connected.

One spiral-coil-shaped conductor pattern 32 on the insulating sheet 20A constitutes an inductance element 30A having an inductance L1, as shown in FIG. The other spiral-coil-shaped conductor pattern 34 constitutes an inductance element 30B having an inductance L2.

An insulating sheet 20B adjacent to the insulating sheet 20A is provided with a conductive pattern 36 made of a conductive material such as silver, copper, aluminum, or the like. The conductor pattern 36 includes terminal electrodes 24A and 24B, spiral coil portions 36a and 36b, and a meander portion 36c. In the insulating sheet 20B, the spiral coil portions 36a and 36b and the meander portion 36c are arranged between the terminal electrodes 24A and 24B.

One spiral coil portion 36a of the conductor pattern 36 on the insulating sheet 20B is electrically connected to the terminal electrode 24A. Further, the center side end 36d of the spiral coil portion 36a is connected to the center side end of the spiral coil-shaped conductor pattern 32 on the insulating sheet 20A via an interlayer connection conductor 38 such as a through-hole conductor formed in the insulating sheet 20A. 32b. Further, the spiral coil portion 36a is configured such that the current flowing through the conductor pattern 32 and the current flowing through the spiral coil portion 36a have the same winding direction. Further, the spiral coil portion 36a constitutes an inductance element 30C having an inductance L3, as shown in FIG.

The other spiral coil portion 36b of the conductor pattern 36 on the insulating sheet 20B is electrically connected to the terminal electrode 24B. Further, the center side end 36e of the spiral coil portion 36b is connected to the center side end of the spiral coil-shaped conductor pattern 34 on the insulating sheet 20A via an interlayer connection conductor 40 such as a through-hole conductor formed in the insulating sheet 20A. 34b. The spiral coil portion 36b is configured such that the current flowing through the conductor pattern 34 and the current flowing through the spiral coil portion 36b have the same winding direction. Further, the spiral coil portion 36b constitutes an inductance element 30D having an inductance L4, as shown in FIG.

The meander portion 36c of the conductor pattern 36 on the insulating sheet 20B electrically connects the outer peripheral end of one spiral coil portion 36a and the outer peripheral end of the many spiral coil portions 36b. 5, the meander portion 36c constitutes an inductance element 30E having an inductance L5.

The impedance between the RFIC chip 22 and the terminal electrodes 24A and 24B is adjusted to Aligned. The inductance elements 30A to 30E and the RFIC chip 22 form a closed loop circuit, and the terminal electrodes 24A and 24B are connected to the inductance element 30E. becomes impedance.

According to such a wireless communication device 10, when the first and second antenna patterns 18A and 18B receive radio waves (signals) of a predetermined frequency (communication frequency) in the UHF band, the first and second antenna patterns A current corresponding to the signal flows from 18A and 18B to the RFIC chip 22 . The RFIC chip 22 is driven by receiving the supply of the current, and the current (signal) corresponding to the information stored in its internal storage unit (not shown) is sent to the first and second antenna patterns 18A, 18B. Output. Radio waves (signals) corresponding to the current are radiated from the first and second antenna patterns 18A and 18B.

Note that the RFID tag 50 described here is just an example, and the RFID tag pitch conversion device according to the first embodiment does not limit the form of the RFID tag 50 .

So far, the configuration of the RFID tag 50, particularly the wireless communication device 10, which is the main body of the RFID tag 50, has been described. From here, the RFID tag pitch conversion device will be described.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of the RFID tag pitch conversion device according to the first embodiment. The XYZ coordinate system in the drawing is for facilitating understanding of the invention, and does not limit the invention. The X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction indicate the horizontal direction, and the Z-axis direction indicates the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 6, the RFID tag pitch conversion device 100 is configured to replace the plurality of RFID tags 50 attached to the first carrier sheet CS1 with the second carrier sheet CS2.

As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of RFID tags 50 are arranged on the first and second carrier sheets CS1 and CS2 in the longitudinal direction of the first and second carrier sheets CS1 and CS2. Specifically, the plurality of RFID tags 50 are arranged in the first and second directions so that the width direction (v direction) of the RFID tags 50 and the longitudinal direction of the first and second carrier sheets CS1 and CS2 are aligned. They are arranged on carrier sheets CS1 and CS2.

As shown in FIG. 6, the RFID tag pitch conversion device 100 feeds the first and second carrier sheets CS1 and CS2 in their longitudinal direction, while transferring a plurality of RFID tags from the first carrier sheet CS1 to the second carrier sheet CS2. Replace the tag 50. Outlined arrows F1 and F2 indicate feeding directions of the first and second carrier sheets CS1 and CS2, respectively. Re-sticking of the RFID tags 50 from the first carrier sheet CS1 to the second carrier sheet CS2 (that is, pitch conversion) is performed at the pitch conversion position Pc.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an RFID tag to be reattached from the first carrier sheet to the second carrier sheet.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first carrier sheet CS1 is fed toward the pitch change position Pc. In the case of the first embodiment, the first carrier sheet CS1 is wound around the supply reel 102 as shown in FIG. The first carrier sheet CS1 is pulled out from the supply reel 102 and sent toward the pitch change position Pc. The RFID tag pitch conversion device 100 has sheet feeding rollers 104 and 106 as a sheet feeding device for feeding the first carrier sheet CS1, and sheet feeding motors 108 and 110 that rotationally drive the sheet feeding rollers 104 and 106, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 7, the second carrier sheet CS2 is sent from the pitch change position Pc. In the case of the first embodiment, the second carrier sheet CS1 is fed in the direction F1 toward the pitch change position Pc and the feed direction F2 of the second carrier sheet CS2 away from the pitch change position Pc is aligned with the second carrier sheet CS1. carrier sheet CS2 is sent. The second carrier sheet CS2 is wound around a collection reel 112, as shown in FIG. The RFID tag pitch conversion device 100 has a sheet feed roller 114 and a sheet feed motor 116 that rotationally drives the sheet feed roller 114 as a sheet feed device for feeding the second carrier sheet CS2. The RFID tag pitch conversion device 100 also has a sheet recovery motor 118 that drives the recovery reel 112 to rotate.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first and second carrier sheets CS1 and CS2 are folded back at the pitch conversion position Pc. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the RFID tag pitch conversion device 100 includes a first folding guide 120 that guides and folds the first carrier sheet CS1 and a second folding guide 120 that guides and folds the second carrier sheet CS2. 2 folding guides 122 .

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first folding guide 120 changes the moving direction of the first carrier sheet CS1 from the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) to the downward direction at the pitch conversion position Pc. The second folding guide 122 changes the moving direction of the second carrier sheet CS2 from the upward direction to the horizontal direction at the pitch conversion position Pc.

The first folding guide 120 and the second folding guide 122 face each other with a predetermined gap D therebetween. That is, the folded edge Ce1 of the first carrier sheet CS1 formed by the first folding guide 120 and the folded edge Ce2 of the second carrier sheet C2 formed by the second folding guide 122 are separated by a predetermined distance D. facing each other. This predetermined interval D is smaller than the size Sw in the arrangement direction of the RFID tags 50 (in the case of the first embodiment, the size in the width direction (v-axis direction) of the RFID tags 50).

With such first and second folding guides 120 and 122, the RFID tag 50 moves from the first carrier sheet CS1 to the second carrier sheet CS2 at the pitch conversion position Pc. Specifically, when the first carrier sheet CS1 is folded back by the first folding guide 120, the RFID tag 50 attached to the first carrier sheet CS1 is folded back without being folded back. Peel off from CS1. The part of the RFID tag 50 that has been peeled off is attached to the folded edge Ce2 of the second carrier sheet CS2. By subsequent movement of the first and second carrier sheets CS1, CS2, the RFID tag 50 is completely detached from the first carrier sheet CS1 and stuck in its entirety to the second carrier sheet CS2.

In the case of Embodiment 1, as shown in FIG. 3, the RFID tag 50 is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction F1 of the first carrier sheet CS1 (that is, the longitudinal direction (u-axis direction) of the RFID tag 50). Meandering antennas (antenna patterns) 18A and 18B are provided. Due to the rigidity of the meandering antenna patterns 18A and 18B, the RFID tag 50 is less likely to bend than when there is no antenna pattern or when compared with a linear antenna pattern. As a result, when the first carrier sheet CS1 is folded back by the first folding guide 120, the RFID tags 50 on the first carrier sheet CS1 can go straight without folding back, and can be transferred to the second carrier sheet CS2. can be reached.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in the case of the first embodiment, the first carrier sheet CS1 and the second carrier sheet CS2 are not separate carrier sheets but different parts of one carrier sheet CS. . That is, the first carrier sheet CS1 is the portion of the carrier sheet CS on the upstream side in the feeding directions F1 and F2, and the second carrier sheet CS2 is the portion on the downstream side of the first carrier sheet CS1. be. For reasons described later, a buffer portion CS3 is provided between the first carrier sheet CS1 and the second carrier sheet CS2. A dancing roller 124 that is freely movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) is mounted on the buffer portion CS3.

In the case of Embodiment 1, as shown in FIG. 6, the RFID tag pitch conversion device 100 has an RFID tag inspection device 126 that inspects the plurality of RFID tags 50 on the first carrier sheet CS1.

In the case of the first embodiment, the RFID tag inspection device 126 wirelessly communicates with each of the plurality of RFID tags 50 on the first carrier sheet CS1 and inspects the communication performance of each of the RFID tags 50 . For example, the RFID tag inspection device 126 outputs a signal to each RFID tag 50 and inspects the communication performance of the RFID tag 50 based on the response signal. If the level of the response signal is lower than a predetermined threshold value, or if the response signal cannot be received within a predetermined period of time, the RFID tag 50 is determined to be defective. Note that the RFID tag inspection device 126 may inspect the appearance of the RFID tag 50 instead of or in addition to the communication performance. In this case, if the label seal 52 is dirty, the RFID tag 50 is determined to be defective.

In the case of Embodiment 1, the RFID tag 50 determined to be defective by the RFID tag inspection device 126 is peeled off and collected from the first carrier sheet CS1 without being reattached to the second carrier sheet CS2. . To that end, as shown in FIG. 6, the RFID tag pitch conversion device 100 has a printer 128, first and second defective product detection sensors 130, 132, an RFID tag recovery device 134, and a control device 136. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the control system of the RFID tag pitch conversion device.

As shown in FIG. 7, the printer 128 prints a defective item determination mark M indicating that the RFID tag 50 is defective by the RFID tag inspection device 126 as a defective item. Printer 128 is, for example, an inkjet printer. As shown in FIG. 6, the printer 128 is arranged downstream of the RFID tag inspection device 126 in the feeding direction F1 of the first carrier sheet CS1.

The first and second defective product detection sensors 130 and 132 are sensors for detecting the defective product determination mark M printed on the RFID tag 50, and are image sensors, for example. The first and second defective product detection sensors 130 and 132 are arranged downstream of the printer 128 in the feeding direction F1 of the first carrier sheet CS1.

The RFID tag recovery device 134 is a device that separates and recovers the RFID tag 50 that has been determined to be defective, ie, the RFID tag 50 printed with the defective product determination mark M, from the first carrier sheet CS1. The RFID tag collecting device 134 is, for example, a robot equipped with a suction nozzle as an end effector that sucks the RFID tag 50 and separates it from the first carrier sheet CS1. The RFID tag collecting device 134 may take any form as long as it can separate the RFID tag 50 from the first carrier sheet CS1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing how the RFID tag recovery device recovers RFID tags.

In the case of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the RFID tag collecting device 134 collects the RFID tag 50 on which the defective product determination mark M is printed at the pitch conversion position Pc, that is, on the first carrier sheet CS1. The carrier sheet CS1 is partly peeled off from the first carrier sheet CS1 by folding, and is recovered at a timing before reaching the folding end Ce2 of the second carrier sheet CS2. At this timing, the RFID tag 50 on which the defective product determination mark M is printed is partially peeled off, so the RFID tag recovery device 134 easily peels off the RFID tag 50 .

The timing at which the RFID tag collecting device 134 removes and collects the RFID tag 50 on which the defective product determination mark M is printed is not limited to this.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the RFID tag collecting device collects RFID tags determined to be defective at different timings.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the RFID tag recovery device 134 has a high peeling ability, the RFID tag recovery device 134 is positioned upstream of the pitch change position Pc in the feed direction F1 of the first carrier sheet CS1 over the entire length. The RFID tag 50 attached to the first carrier sheet CS1 can be peeled off.

The control device 136 is composed of, for example, a processor such as a CPU or MPU, and a storage device such as a memory that stores a program that causes the processor to execute a predetermined operation. Controller 136 controls sheet feed motors 108 , 110 , 116 , sheet collection motor 118 , printer 128 and RFID tag collection device 134 .

First, the control device 136 controls the printer 128 and the RFID tag collection device 134 based on the signal from the RFID tag inspection device 126 and the signals from the first and second defective product detection sensors 130 and 132 .

When the RFID tag inspection device 126 determines a defective product, it outputs a corresponding signal to the control device 136 . Control device 136 outputs a print instruction signal to printer 128 . The timing at which the RFID tag 50 determined to be defective by the RFID tag inspection device 126 reaches the printing position of the printer 128 (that is, the printing timing) is the inspection timing of the RFID tag 50, the feeding speed of the sheet feeding roller 104 (sheet the rotational speed of the feed motor 108) and the distance between the RFID tag inspection device 126 and the printer 128. The printer 128 that has received the print instruction signal from the control device 136 prints the defective product determination mark M on the RFID tag 50 that has been determined to be defective.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first defective product detection sensor 130 arranged upstream in the feeding direction F1 of the first carrier sheet CS1 with respect to the second defective product detection sensor 132 is determined to be defective. When the defective product determination mark M printed on the RFID tag 50 is detected, a detection signal is output to the control device 136 . Upon receiving the detection signal, the control device 136 reduces the rotation speed of the sheet feed motor 110, that is, reduces the moving speed of the RFID tag 50 determined to be defective. This deceleration makes it easier for the RFID tag collecting device 134 to collect the RFID tag 50 determined to be defective.

At this time, the sheet feed motor 110 is decelerated, but the upstream sheet feed motor 108 is not decelerated. As a result, the feeding speed of the first carrier sheet CS1 passing through the RFID tag inspection device 126, that is, the inspection speed of the RFID tags 50, can be maintained constant. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 6, a portion CS4 of the first carrier sheet CS1 between the sheet feed roller 104 and the first defective product detection sensor 130 is provided with a buffer portion. A dancing roller 138 that is freely movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) is mounted on the buffer portion CS4.

The second defective product detection sensor 132 arranged downstream in the feeding direction F1 of the first carrier sheet CS1 with respect to the first defective product detection sensor 130 is printed on the RFID tag 50 determined as a defective product. When the defective product determination mark M is detected, a detection signal is output to the control device 136 . Upon receiving the detection signal from the second defective product detection sensor 132 , the control device 136 outputs a recovery instruction signal to the RFID tag recovery device 134 . The timing at which the RFID tag 50 detected by the second defective product detection sensor 132 and determined to be defective reaches the recovery position of the RFID tag recovery device 134 (that is, the recovery timing) is determined by the second defective product detection sensor 132. detection timing, the feed speed of the sheet feed roller 106 (rotational speed of the sheet feed motor 110), and the distance between the second defective product detection sensor 132 and the RFID tag collection device 134.

If the RFID tag collecting device 134 can collect the RFID tags 50 on the first carrier sheet CS1 without decelerating the feeding speed, the second defective product detection sensor 132 can be omitted. That is, the control device 136 controls the RFID tag recovery device 134 based on the detection timing of the defective product determination mark M of the first defective product detection sensor 130 .

When the RFID tags 50 determined to be defective are collected from the first carrier sheet CS1, uncollected RFID tags 50, that is, non-defective RFID tags 50 arrive at the pitch conversion position Pc at random. In the case of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the RFID tag pitch conversion device 100 has an edge detection sensor 140 that detects the randomly arriving RFID tags 50 .

The edge detection sensor 140 detects the leading end of the RFID tag 50 in the feeding direction F1 (that is, one leading end in the width direction) downstream of the RFID tag collecting device 134 in the feeding direction F1 of the first carrier sheet CS1. . In the case of the first embodiment, the edge detection sensor 140 detects the tip of the RFID tag 50 that is partly separated from the first carrier sheet CS1 and before reaching the folded edge Ce2 of the second carrier sheet CS2. to detect Also, when the edge detection sensor 140 detects the tip of the RFID tag 50 , it outputs a detection signal to the control device 136 . Based on the detection signal, the controller 136 adjusts the feed speed of the second carrier sheet CS2, that is, the rotational speed of the sheet feed motor 116. FIG.

Specifically, the controller 136 keeps the second carrier sheet CS2 stopped (the feed speed is zero) until the edge detection sensor 140 detects the leading edge of the RFID tag 50, that is, the sheet feed motor 116 is turned on. remain stopped.

When the edge detection sensor 140 detects the leading edge of the RFID tag 50, the controller 136 controls the sheet feed motor 116 to increase the feed speed of the second carrier sheet CS2. Specifically, when the leading edge of the RFID tag 50 on the first carrier sheet CS1 reaches the folded edge Ce2 of the second carrier sheet CS2, the controller 136 changes the feeding speed of the second carrier sheet CS2 to the first speed. synchronized with the feeding speed of the carrier sheet CS1. That is, the rotational speed of the sheet feed motor 110 for feeding the first carrier sheet CS1 is matched with the rotational speed of the sheet feed motor 116 for feeding the second carrier sheet CS2. The timing at which the leading edge of the RFID tag 50 on the first carrier sheet CS1 reaches the turn-back edge Ce2 of the second carrier sheet CS2 (that is, the timing at which the sheet feed motor 116 starts rotating) is detected by the edge detection sensor 140. Timing, feed speed of sheet feed roller 106 (rotational speed of sheet feed motor 110), and between edge detection sensor 140 and turn-back end Ce2 of second carrier sheet CS2 (that is, trailing end of second turn-back guide 122) can be calculated from the distance of

Note that the edge detection sensor 140 may detect the tip of the RFID tag 50 that is entirely attached to the first carrier sheet CS1, as shown in FIG.

When the sheet feed motor 116 starts rotating and the second carrier sheet CS2 is fed by a feed amount equal to the sum of the size Sw in the width direction of the RFID tag 50 and the pitch p, the controller 136 stops the sheet feed motor 116. Then, the feeding of the second carrier sheet CS2 is stopped.

When the plurality of RFID tags 50 are arranged at a constant pitch on the first carrier sheet CS1 and when the rate of occurrence of defects in the RFID tags 50 is low, the following control can be performed. When non-defective RFID tags 50 continue, the edge detection sensor 140 continues to detect the tip of the RFID tag 50 at regular intervals. During this time, the controller 136 continues feeding the second carrier sheet CS2. If the edge detection sensor 140 does not detect the leading edge of the RFID tag 50 at a certain timing, the controller 136 immediately stops feeding the second carrier sheet CS2. When the edge detection sensor 140 detects the leading edge of the RFID tag 50 again at a later timing, the controller 136 resumes feeding the second carrier sheet CS2. In other words, in this case, edge detection sensor 140 is detecting an empty space created by collecting RFID tag 50 .

According to the first embodiment as described above, the RFID tag pitch conversion device for creating a carrier sheet to which a plurality of RFID tags are attached requires another carrier sheet to which a plurality of RFID tags are attached. Therefore, it is possible to provide an RFID tag pitch conversion device with a simplified structure.

(Embodiment 2)
In the case of Embodiment 1 described above, as shown in FIG. 6, the first carrier sheet CS1 and the second carrier sheet CS2 are different parts of one carrier sheet CS. In the case of the second embodiment, the first carrier sheet CS1 and the second carrier sheet CS2 are different carrier sheets. Therefore, the second embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment described above. In addition, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the component of Embodiment 2 which is substantially the same as the component of Embodiment 1 above-mentioned.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of an RFID tag pitch conversion device according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the RFID tag pitch conversion device 200 according to the second embodiment, the first carrier sheet CS1 is pulled out from the supply reel 102, folded back by the first folding guide 120, and returned to the recovery reel 242. is taken up and collected. The second carrier sheet CS2 is pulled out from the supply reel 244, folded back by the second folding guide 122, and wound up on the recovery reel 112 to be recovered. It should be noted that, while being wound around the supply reel 244, the second carrier sheet CS2 is in a state where no RFID tag 50 is attached. Also, the first carrier sheet CS1 wound around the recovery reel 242 is in a state in which the RFID tag 50 is not attached at all. Therefore, it is possible to use the first carrier sheet CS1 wound around the collection reel 242 as the second carrier sheet CS2 wound around the new supply reel 244 .

As in the first embodiment described above, the second embodiment is also an RFID tag pitch conversion apparatus that creates a carrier sheet to which a plurality of RFID tags are attached. It is possible to provide an RFID tag pitch conversion device that does not require a carrier sheet and thereby has a simplified structure.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above-described embodiments, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the RFID tag 50 recovered from the first carrier sheet CS1 by the RFID tag recovery device 134 is the RFID tag 50 determined as defective by the RFID tag inspection device 126 . However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. The RFID tag retrieving device 134 may retrieve the RFID tags 50 from the first carrier sheet CS1 for use in another application, for example, to be attached to a component.

That is, in a broad sense, the RFID tag pitch conversion device according to the embodiment of the present invention is, in a broad sense, the first to third RFID tags pasted on the first carrier sheet, and the RFID tag pitch conversion for replacing the second carrier sheet with the first to third RFID tags. A device, comprising: a first sheet feeding device for feeding the first carrier sheet in an arrangement direction of the first to third RFID tags on the first carrier sheet; and a guide for the first carrier sheet. a first folding guide for folding back and folding, a second sheet feeding device for feeding the second carrier sheet, and a folded end of the second carrier sheet facing the folded end of the first carrier sheet. , a second folding guide for folding back the second carrier sheet, and a recovery device for peeling and recovering the second RFID tag from the first carrier sheet, wherein the first folding The guide and the second folding guide are opposed to each other with a gap smaller than the sizes of the first to third RFID tags in the arrangement direction, and the second sheet feeding device is configured to move the second carrier. The distance between the first RFID tag and the third RFID tag on the sheet is smaller than the distance between the first RFID tag and the third RFID tag on the first carrier sheet. and adjusting the feeding speed of the second carrier sheet so that

Finally, in the case of the above-described embodiment, the object to be pitch-converted by re-sticking from the first carrier sheet to the second carrier sheet is the RFID tag. The present invention can also be applied to products (or parts) of In this case, the product (or part) pitch conversion device that replaces the first to third products (or parts) attached to the first carrier sheet to the second carrier sheet is arranged on the first carrier sheet a first sheet feeding device that feeds the first carrier sheet in the direction in which the first to third products (or parts) are arranged; and a first folding guide that guides and folds the first carrier sheet. a second sheet feeding device for feeding the second carrier sheet; and the second carrier sheet such that the folded end of the second carrier sheet faces the folded end of the first carrier sheet. and a collecting device for separating and collecting the second product (or part) from the first carrier sheet. Also, the first folding guide and the second folding guide are opposed to each other with a gap smaller than the size of each of the first to third products (or parts) in the arrangement direction. The second sheet feeding device is configured such that the distance between the first product (or part) and the third product (or part) on the second carrier sheet is equal to the distance between the first carrier sheet and the third product (or part). The feeding speed of the second carrier sheet is adjusted so as to be smaller than the distance between the first product (part) and the third product (part) in .

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is applicable to manufacturing sheet-like RFID tags.

50 first to third RFID tags 134 recovery device (RFID tag recovery device)
Ce1 Folded end Ce2 Folded end CS1 First carrier sheet CS2 Second carrier sheet

Claims (9)

An RFID tag pitch conversion device that replaces the first to third RFID tags attached to the first carrier sheet with the second carrier sheet,
a first sheet feeding device that feeds the first carrier sheet in the arrangement direction of the first to third RFID tags on the first carrier sheet;
a first folding guide that guides and folds the first carrier sheet;
a second sheet feeder for feeding the second carrier sheet;
a second folding guide for folding back the second carrier sheet so that the folded end of the second carrier sheet faces the folded end of the first carrier sheet;
a recovery device that separates and recovers the second RFID tag from the first carrier sheet,
The first folding guide and the second folding guide are opposed to each other with a gap smaller than the size of each of the first to third RFID tags in the arrangement direction,
In the second sheet feeding device, the distance between the first RFID tag and the third RFID tag on the second carrier sheet is equal to the distance between the first RFID tag on the first carrier sheet and the third RFID tag on the second carrier sheet. An RFID tag pitch conversion device that adjusts the feeding speed of the second carrier sheet so as to be smaller than the distance to the third RFID tag.
further comprising an RFID tag inspection device that inspects the first to third RFID tags on the first carrier sheet,
The recovery device is a recovery device for recovering RFID tags determined to be defective by the RFID tag inspection device,
2. The RFID tag pitch conversion device according to claim 1, wherein said second RFID tag is an RFID tag determined to be defective by said RFID tag inspection device.
The recovery device reaches the folded end of the second carrier sheet in a state where the second RFID tag is partly separated from the first carrier sheet by folding the first carrier sheet. 3. The RFID tag pitch conversion device according to claim 2, which collects at the previous timing.
a printing device that prints a defective product judgment mark on the second RFID tag;
a defective product detection sensor that detects the defective product determination mark;
4. The RFID tag pitch conversion device according to claim 2, wherein said recovery device recovers said second RFID tag based on the detection result of said defective product detection sensor.
The defective product detection sensor includes a first defective product detection sensor arranged on the upstream side in the feeding direction of the first carrier sheet and a second defective product detection sensor arranged on the downstream side,
the first sheet feeding device decelerates the feeding speed of the first carrier sheet when the first defective product detection sensor detects the defective product determination mark;
5. The RFID tag pitch conversion device according to claim 4, wherein said recovery device recovers said second RFID tag based on the detection timing of said defective product determination mark by said second defective product detection sensor.
6. The RFID tag pitch conversion device according to claim 2, wherein said RFID tag inspection device inspects communication performance of said first to third RFID tags.
The RFID tag pitch according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first to third RFID tags have a meandering antenna extending in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the first carrier sheet. conversion device.
an edge detection sensor that detects the tips of the first and third RFID tags;
The RFID tag pitch conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said second sheet feeding device adjusts the feeding speed of said second carrier sheet based on the detection result of said edge detection sensor. .
wherein the first carrier sheet and the second carrier sheet are different parts in one carrier sheet,
wherein the first carrier sheet is a portion of the one carrier sheet on the upstream side in the feeding direction of the first and second sheet feeding devices,
9. The RFID tag pitch conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said second carrier sheet is a portion of said one carrier sheet downstream with respect to said first carrier sheet.

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