JPWO2019151475A1 - Wireless communication devices and textile products - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a wireless communication device that can be more easily attached to a textile product and that can prevent the RFID module from falling off with a simpler configuration. A wireless communication device according to the present invention includes an RFID module (2) including an RFIC element (4), and a conductive antenna wire (5) connected to the RFIC element (4), and at least the RFIC element (4). And a sheath (3) disposed on the outer periphery of the sheath, wherein at least a part of the sheath (3) includes a yarn containing a thermoplastic resin.

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication device and a textile product having the wireless communication device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a wireless communication device attachable to textiles such as clothing, for example, a wireless communication device described in Patent Literature 1 is known. In Patent Document 1, a support on which an electronic component is attached is wound and fixed on the surface of the yarn on which the conductive pattern is formed, and a holding yarn is wound around the yarn to cover at least a part of the electronic component. A composite yarn is described. According to the technique of Patent Literature 1, an RFID (Radio-Frequency IDentification) module as an electronic component can be attached to a fiber product by weaving, sewing, or knitting the composite yarn in the fiber product.

JP 2013-189718 A

  However, the technique of Patent Document 1 still has room for improvement from the viewpoint of more easily attaching to a textile product and suppressing dropping of the RFID module with a simpler configuration.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a wireless communication device that can be more easily attached to a textile product and that can prevent the RFID module from falling off with a simpler configuration, and the wireless communication device. It is to provide a textile product having a device.

In order to achieve the above object, a wireless communication device according to one embodiment of the present invention,
An RFID module including an RFIC element, and a conductive antenna line connected to the RFIC element;
A sheath disposed at least on the outer periphery of the RFIC element;
With
At least a part of the sheath portion is configured to include a yarn containing a thermoplastic resin.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the radio | wireless communication device which concerns on this invention, while being easily attached to a textile, it can suppress falling off of an RFID module with a simpler structure.

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which the wireless communication device in FIG. 1 is thermocompression-bonded to socks by an iron. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which the wireless communication device in FIG. 1 is thermocompression-bonded to clothes using an iron. It is a partially expanded plan view which shows an example of a knitted fabric. It is a table | surface which shows the example of the combination of the material of a 1st thread part and a 2nd thread part. It is a top view which shows the modification of a sheath part. It is a top view which shows the other modification of a sheath part. It is a top view which shows the other modification of a sheath part. It is a perspective view showing an example of an RFID module. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the RFIC element. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an internal configuration of the RFIC element. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an RFIC element. FIG. 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the RFID module.

A wireless communication device according to one embodiment of the present invention provides an RFID module including an RFIC element, and a conductive antenna line connected to the RFIC element;
A sheath disposed at least on the outer periphery of the RFIC element;
With
At least a part of the sheath portion is configured to include a yarn containing a thermoplastic resin.

  According to this configuration, at least a part of the sheath portion includes a yarn containing a thermoplastic resin. For example, the wireless communication device is thermally compressed to a fiber product (the thermoplastic resin is melted and solidified), so that the wireless communication device is connected to the fiber product. Can be easily attached to Further, the RFIC element can be fixed in the sheath by melting and solidifying the thermoplastic resin. Therefore, dropping of the RFID module can be suppressed with a simpler configuration.

  The sheath may be configured to cover the entire RFID module so that the RFID module becomes a core of a core-sheath structure. According to this configuration, the exposure of the RFID module to the outside can be suppressed. Thereby, for example, when the wireless communication device is attached to the textile, the RFID module can be made inconspicuous.

  Further, the RFIC element may be entirely covered with the thermoplastic resin melted and solidified. According to this configuration, the waterproofness, durability, and insulation of the RFIC element can be improved. Thus, even when, for example, a textile product to which the wireless communication device is attached is washed, it is possible to suppress the failure of the RFIC element due to water wet.

  Further, both ends of the sheath may be closed by the molten and solidified thermoplastic resin. According to this configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent the RFID module from coming out of the sheath.

  At least a part of the sheath may include a knitted fabric knitted with the yarn. According to this configuration, the sheath can be provided with elasticity and flexibility. Thereby, for example, it becomes possible to handle the sheath in the same manner as a yarn constituting a knitted fabric such as socks and clothes, and it is also possible to knit or weave using a knitting machine or a loom. Further, the knitted fabric is easily entangled with the RFID module, and the RFID module can be further prevented from coming out of the sheath.

  Further, the antenna wire is helically wound around the outer periphery of the RFIC element, and is configured to be magnetically coupled with the RFIC element. A part of the antenna wire wound around the outer periphery of the RFIC element is It may project into at least some stitches of the ground. According to this configuration, the movement of a part of the antenna wire can be restricted within the stitches of the knitted fabric, so that the RFID module can be further prevented from coming out of the sheath.

  Further, the yarn may include a first yarn portion and a second yarn portion having a higher melting point than the first yarn portion. According to this configuration, only the first thread portion is melted, and the second thread portion is left without being melted, so that the RFID module and the thermoplastic resin can be more closely adhered. Further, when an excessive thickness occurs due to the remaining second thread portion, both thread portions can be melted with a time difference.

  Further, the first thread portion and the second thread portion may be aligned to knit a knitted fabric. According to this configuration, for example, the shape of the knitted fabric can be maintained by melting only the first thread portion and attaching the wireless communication device to the textile, and leaving the second thread portion without melting. By maintaining the shape of the knitted fabric, the knitted fabric can be entangled with the RFID module, and the removal of the RFID module from the sheath can be suppressed. In addition, when the wireless communication device is attached to the textile, the RFID module can be made inconspicuous.

  Further, the first thread portion knits a tubular knitted fabric on the outer periphery of the RFID module, and the second thread portion includes the first thread so as to bring the first thread portion into close contact with the outer periphery of the RFID module. It may be helically wound around the outer periphery of the part. According to this configuration, it is possible to further prevent the RFID module from coming out of the sheath without damaging the RFID module.

  In the textile product according to one aspect of the present invention, any one of the wireless communication devices is attached via the melted and solidified thermoplastic resin. According to this configuration, for example, even when the textile product is repeatedly washed, the wireless communication device can be prevented from coming off the textile product, and the RFIC element can be prevented from falling out of the sheath.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment. In the drawings, substantially the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication device 1 according to the present embodiment includes an RFID (Radio-Frequency IDentification) module 2 and a sheath 3 arranged on the outer periphery of the RFID module 2.

  The RFID module 2 includes an RFIC (Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuit) element 4 and a conductive antenna wire 5 connected to the RFIC element 4. The configuration of the RFID module 2 will be described later in detail.

  The sheath 3 is formed in a tubular shape so as to cover at least the outer periphery of the RFIC element 4. In the present embodiment, the sheath 3 is formed so as to cover the entire RFID module 2 so that the RFID module 2 becomes a core of a core-sheath structure.

  At least a part of the sheath 3 contains a yarn containing a thermoplastic resin. By heating the sheath portion 3 with the RFIC element 5 disposed in the sheath portion 3, the thermoplastic resin is melted and solidified, and the sheath portion 3 and the RFID module 2 are fixed via the melted and solidified thermoplastic resin. Is done. When fixing the sheath portion 3 and the RFID module 2 by heating, it is not necessary to heat the entire sheath portion 3, but only to heat a part of the sheath portion 3 where the RFID module 2 exists. Further, by applying heat while the sheath portion 3 is in contact with the textile, the thermoplastic resin is melted and solidified, and the wireless communication device 1 can be attached to the textile via the melted and solidified thermoplastic resin. .

  The thermoplastic resin is a resin having a property of being melted and solidified by heating. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include a polyurethane resin, a polyethylene resin, a polyester resin, a polyamide resin, and a polypropylene resin. As the yarn containing a thermoplastic resin, for example, a thermoplastic synthetic fiber yarn made of a thermoplastic resin such as a polyethylene resin, a polyester resin, a polyamide resin, and a polypropylene resin can be used.

  Textile products are obtained by, for example, woven, knitted, joined by adhesives or heat treatment, twisted, or braided using natural fiber, semi-synthetic fiber, or synthetic fiber yarn It is a product manufactured using a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a twisted string, and a braid. Examples of the textile products include clothing such as socks and clothes, labels, ropes, shoelaces, fishing nets, construction nets, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which the wireless communication device 1 is thermocompression-bonded to a sock S by an iron IR. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which the wireless communication device 1 is thermocompression-bonded to the clothes C by the iron IR.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the wireless communication device 1 can be thermocompression-bonded anywhere on the sock S and the clothes C without limitation on the mounting position.

  In the present embodiment, at least a part of the sheath 3 includes a knitted fabric knitted with a yarn containing a thermoplastic resin. When the sheath 3 includes the knitted fabric, elasticity and flexibility can be imparted to the sheath 3. In the present embodiment, the entire sheath 3 includes a knitted fabric, and the entire wireless communication device 1 has a substantially thread form. The wireless communication device 1 according to the present embodiment is also referred to as “RFID built-in thread”.

  FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged plan view showing an example of the knitted fabric. As shown in FIG. 4, the knitted fabric is knitted by, for example, weft-knitting a yarn containing a thermoplastic resin. In the present embodiment, the knitted fabric is knitted as a tubular knitted fabric so as to cover the outer periphery of the RFID module 2.

  In the weft knitting, the stitches can be made finer than in the warp knitting, so that the coverage of the RFID module 2 can be increased. In the weft knitting, the stitches are knitted so as to involve the RFIC element 4, so that the RFIC element 4 can be tightened relatively strongly. This makes it possible to prevent the RFID module 2 from coming out of the sheath 3.

  The number of stitches of the same course in the knitted fabric is preferably 2 or more and 6 or less. In this case, since the diameter of the tubular knitted fabric can be reduced, the adhesion of the knitted fabric to the RFIC element 4 can be further improved.

  Further, the number of stitches per 1 cm of natural length of the same wale in the knitted fabric is preferably 6 or more and 14 or less. Here, the natural length means a length in a state where no tension or the like is applied, that is, a state in which the body is naturally placed on a table as it is. If the number of stitches per natural length 1 cm of the same wale in the knitted fabric is 6 or more, the coverage of the RFID module 2 with the knitted fabric can be increased. In addition, when the number of stitches per natural length of 1 cm of the same wale in the knitted fabric is 14 or less, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of defects due to fogging (tack scratch) of the knitted stitches due to excessively small stitches. .

  According to the present embodiment, since the sheath portion 3 contains a yarn containing a thermoplastic resin, it is thermocompression-bonded to a fiber product such as the sock S or the clothes C (the thermoplastic resin is melted and solidified), thereby forming a wireless communication device. 1 can be easily attached to textiles.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the RFIC element 4 can be fixed in the sheath 3 by melting and solidifying the thermoplastic resin. Therefore, dropping of the RFID module 2 can be suppressed with a simpler configuration. In addition, since the positional deviation between the RFIC element 4 and the antenna wire 5 can be suppressed, it is possible to suppress the electric characteristics such as inductance from being shifted due to an external force, and the communication characteristics of the RFID module 2 can be stabilized. The melting and solidification of a part of the thermoplastic resin for fixing the RFIC element 4 in the sheath 3 may be performed in advance before the wireless communication device 1 is thermocompression-bonded to the fiber product.

  In the textile product to which the wireless communication device 1 is attached in this manner, even when the textile product is repeatedly washed, the wireless communication device 1 can be prevented from coming off the textile product, and the RFIC element 4 can be removed from the sheath portion 3. Getting out can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the sheath portion 3 is configured to cover the entire RFID module 2 so that the RFID module 2 becomes a core portion of a core-sheath structure. According to this configuration, exposure of the RFID module 2 to the outside can be suppressed. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the wireless communication device 1 is attached to a textile, the RFID module 2 can be made inconspicuous.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the sheath 3 includes the knitted fabric, the sheath 3 can be provided with elasticity and flexibility. Thereby, even when the wireless communication device 1 is attached to a curved portion or a bent portion of the sock S or the clothes C, the antenna wire 5 can be prevented from being cut or broken. Further, the sheath 3 can be handled in the same manner as the yarn constituting the knitted fabric such as the socks S and the clothes C, and can be knitted or woven using a knitting machine or a loom. In addition, the sheath 3 can be handled in the same manner as the intention of forming a twisted string or a braid, and it becomes possible to twist or braid using a twisting machine or a braiding machine. Further, the knitted fabric is easily entangled with the RFID module 2, and it is possible to further suppress the RFID module 2 from coming out of the sheath 3.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the entire sheath 3 includes a knitted fabric, the entire wireless communication device 1 has a knitted form, but can be substantially handled as a knitting yarn. . Thereby, it becomes possible to handle the wireless communication device 1 in the same manner as the yarn constituting the knitted fabric such as the socks S and the clothes C, and the knitting or weaving can be further performed using a knitting machine or a loom. Will be possible. Further, for example, it can be used as a substitute for an existing thread or string such as an embroidery thread or a price tag string. Further, for example, it can also be used as a cut boss knit when producing a knit. In addition, for example, it is possible to twist with another twisted yarn when manufacturing a rope.

  In addition, it is preferable that the thickness of the yarn for knitting the knitted fabric is not less than 33 dtex and not more than 250 dtex. If it is smaller than 33 dtex, the covering of the RFID module 2 with the knitted fabric is insufficient, and if it is larger than 250 dtex, the yarn is too thick and knitting by a knitting machine becomes difficult.

  In addition, a part of the antenna wire 5 wound around the outer periphery of the RFIC element 4 (a helical coupling portion 5a described later) may protrude into at least a part of the stitches of the knitted fabric. That is, a part of the antenna wire 5 may protrude (expose) outward through the stitch hole so as to be caught by the stitch of the knitted fabric. According to this configuration, the movement of a part of the antenna wire 5 can be restricted within the stitches of the knitted fabric, so that the RFID module 2 can be further prevented from coming out of the sheath 3. Such a configuration can be easily realized by, for example, making the thickness of the knitted fabric smaller than the diameter of the antenna wire 5.

  Further, the entire RFIC element 4 may be covered with a molten and solidified thermoplastic resin. According to this configuration, the waterproofness, durability, and insulation of the RFIC element 4 can be improved. Thus, for example, even when the textile product to which the wireless communication device 1 is attached is washed, it is possible to prevent the RFIC element 4 from getting wet with water and causing a failure. Further, before disposing the RFIC element 4 in the sheath portion 3, it is necessary to seal the entire RFIC element 4 with another resin to make the RFIC element 4 waterproof, durable, and insulating. Can be eliminated. The covering of the entire RFIC element 4 with the melted and solidified thermoplastic resin may be performed before the wireless communication device 1 is thermocompression-bonded to the fiber product, or the radio communication device 1 may be thermally bonded to the fiber product. It may be performed simultaneously with the pressing.

  Further, both ends of the sheath portion 3 may be closed by a molten and solidified thermoplastic resin. According to this configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent the RFID module 2 from coming out of the sheath 3.

  Further, the sheath portion 3 may include a first thread portion and a second thread portion having a higher melting point than the first thread portion. According to this configuration, it is possible to melt only the first thread portion and leave the second thread portion without melting. Further, in a case where an excessive thickness occurs due to the remaining second thread portion, the second thread portion can be melted with a time difference with respect to the first thread portion. It is sufficient that at least the first thread part contains a thermoplastic resin, and the second thread part may or may not contain a thermoplastic resin.

  FIG. 5 is a table showing an example of a combination of materials for the first thread portion and the second thread portion. As shown in FIG. 5, the difference between the melting points of the first yarn portion and the second yarn portion is preferably 30 ° C. or more, and more preferably 50 ° C. or more.

  Further, the sheath portion 3 may include three or more yarn portions (for example, fibers) having different melting points from each other. For example, the sheath 3 may be knitted with a synthetic fiber including at least one fiber made of a thermoplastic resin.

  Further, the first thread portion and the second thread portion may be aligned to knit a knitted fabric. According to this configuration, for example, the shape of the knitted fabric can be maintained by melting only one of the thread portions and attaching the wireless communication device 1 to the fiber product, and leaving the other thread portion without melting. . By maintaining the shape of the knitted fabric, the knitted fabric can be entangled with the RFID module 2, and the RFID module 2 can be further prevented from falling out of the sheath 3. Further, when the wireless communication device 1 is attached to a textile, the RFID module 2 can be made inconspicuous.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the first thread portion 31 knits a tubular knitted fabric on the outer periphery of the RFID module 2, and the second thread portion 32 adheres the first thread portion 31 to the outer periphery of the RFID module 2. It may be wound helically around the outer periphery of the first thread portion 31 so as to cause the first thread portion 31 to rotate. According to this configuration, it is possible to further prevent the RFID module 2 from coming out of the sheath 3 without damaging the RFID module 2. In this case, the second thread portion 32 may be, for example, a natural fiber thread such as cotton, hemp, or wool, a semi-synthetic fiber thread such as cellulose, a synthetic fiber thread such as nylon, acrylic, polyester, or polyurethane; A composite yarn, tape, string, or the like obtained by combining materials may be used.

  In the above description, the sheath 3 covers the entire RFID module 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the sheath 3 may be formed so as to cover only the outer periphery of the RFIC element 4. Also in this case, the wireless communication device can be thermocompression-bonded to the fiber product by including the yarn containing the thermoplastic resin in at least a part of the sheath 3.

  In the above description, at least a part of the sheath 3 includes a knitted fabric knitted with a yarn containing a thermoplastic resin, but the present invention is not limited to this. The sheath 3 may include a thread containing a thermoplastic resin at least in part, and for example, may be helically wound around the RFID module 2 as shown in FIG.

  Next, the configuration of the RFID module 2 will be described in more detail. FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the RFID module 2. It should be noted that the XYZ coordinate system shown in the drawings is for facilitating understanding of the invention, and does not limit the invention.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the RFID module 2 is, for example, an RFID tag capable of wireless communication at a communication frequency in the UHF band. The RFID module 2 includes an RFIC element 4 and an antenna wire 5 that is helically wound around the outer periphery of the RFIC element 4 and magnetically couples with the RFIC element 4.

  The antenna wire 5 is a conductor that can function as an antenna of the RFID module 2. The antenna wire 5 is, for example, a thread-shaped conductor that is covered with an insulating material such as a resin and can be freely deformed. Note that the antenna wire 5 may be a stranded wire formed by twisting a plurality of thread-like conductors, instead of a single thread-like conductor. Also, the antenna wire 5 may be a slit tape thread, a covering thread, a coding thread, an aluminum wire coated with copper, or the like.

  The antenna wire 5 has a helical coupling portion 5a wound around the outer periphery of the RFIC element 4, and radiating portions 5b extending from both ends of the helical coupling portion 5a. In the present embodiment, the length of each radiating section 5b is set to be about 略 of the wavelength of the communication frequency used by the RFID module 2. That is, the length of the antenna wire 5 excluding the helical coupling portion 5a is set to approximately 波長 of the wavelength (for example, 14 cm). Thus, the antenna line 5 functions as a half-wave dipole antenna.

  In the present embodiment, the RFIC element 4 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped block having a longitudinal direction (X direction). The length of the RFIC element 4 in the longitudinal direction (X direction) is, for example, 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm. The length in the short direction (Y direction or Z direction) of the RFIC element 4 is, for example, 1.0 mm.

  The helical coupling portion 5a of the antenna wire 5 is wound around the outer periphery of the RFIC element 4 around a winding axis extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the RFIC element 4. I have. Thus, the number of turns of the helical coupling portion 5a is increased as compared with a case where the helical coupling portion 5a is wound around a winding axis extending in the short direction (Y direction or Z direction) of the RFIC element 4. be able to. In this case, the helical coupling portion 5a can generate a stronger magnetic field, and can be magnetically coupled with a helical coil of the RFIC element 4 described later with a high degree of coupling.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the RFIC element 4. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the RFIC element 4. FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the RFIC element 4.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the RFIC element 4 includes an RFIC chip 41 and helical coils 42A and 42B connected to the RFIC chip 41. The RFIC chip 41 and the helical coils 42A and 42B are provided on a main surface 43a of a printed wiring board 43 made of an insulating material. On the main surface 43a of the printed wiring board 43, a hard resin block body 44 made of a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin is provided so as to cover (embed) the RFIC chip 41 and the helical coils 42A and 42B. ing. That is, the printed wiring board 43 and the resin block body 44 constitute a main body (insulating element) made of the insulating material of the RFIC element 4, and the main body incorporates the RFIC chip 41 and the helical coils 42A and 42B. And the antenna wire 5 is wound.

  The RFIC chip 41 is an IC chip, and is configured to communicate with an external communication device (for example, a reader / writer device of the RFID module 2) via the antenna line 5. In the present embodiment, the RFIC chip 41 is disposed at the center of the main surface 43a of the printed wiring board 43 in the longitudinal direction (X direction).

  In the present embodiment, the helical coils 42A and 42B are connected to the RFIC chip 41, and are arranged on both sides of the RFIC chip 41 in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the RFIC element 4. In the present embodiment, the helical coils 42A and 42B include a plurality of conductor patterns 421, a plurality of conductor patterns 422, and a plurality of metal pins 423.

  The plurality of conductor patterns 421 are conductors that constitute a part of the helical coils 42A and 42B. The plurality of conductor patterns 421 are formed on the top surface 44 a (the surface farthest from the printed wiring board 43) of the resin block body 44. The plurality of conductor patterns 421 are covered and protected by a protective layer 45 formed on the top surface 44a of the resin block body 44.

  The plurality of conductor patterns 422 are conductors that constitute a part of the helical coils 42A and 42B. The plurality of conductor patterns 422 are formed on the main surface 43a of the printed wiring board 43.

  These conductor patterns 421 and 422 are made of a conductive material such as copper, for example. The conductor patterns 421 and 422 are formed, for example, by forming a copper film and patterning the copper film by photoresist and etching. Further, the conductor patterns 421 and 422 may be formed by screen-printing a conductive paste.

  The plurality of metal pins 423 are conductors that constitute a part of the helical coils 42A and 42B. Each metal pin 423 is provided to penetrate the resin block body 44 and connect the conductor pattern 421 on the top surface 44 a of the resin block body 44 to the conductor pattern 422 on the main surface 43 a of the printed wiring board 43. ing. Each metal pin 423 is, for example, a columnar conductor such as a copper pin. Note that each metal pin 423 does not need to have a circular cross-sectional shape.

  In the present embodiment, one loop in the helical coils 42A and 42B is configured by one conductor pattern 421, one conductor pattern 422, and two metal pins 423. Each of the helical coils 42A and 42B thus configured is provided such that the coil axis is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the RFIC element 4.

  The other end of the helical coil 42A (the metal pin 423A on the center in the longitudinal direction of the RFIC element 4) and the one end of the helical coil 42B (the metal pin 423B on the center in the longitudinal direction of the RFIC element 4) are connected to the conductor pattern. 424. The conductor pattern 424 is formed on the main surface 43a of the printed wiring board 43, similarly to the plurality of conductor patterns 422.

  One end of the helical coil 42A (the metal pin 423C on the outside in the longitudinal direction of the RFIC element 4) is connected to a first input / output terminal (not shown) of the RFIC chip 41. Specifically, a metal pin 423C, which is one end of the helical coil 42A, is connected to a land 425A on the main surface 43a of the printed wiring board 43. The land 425A is connected to one end of a conductor pattern 427A formed on the back surface 43b of the printed wiring board 43 via an interlayer connection conductor 426A such as a through-hole conductor penetrating the printed wiring board 43. The other end of the conductor pattern 427 is connected to a land 429A formed on the main surface 43a of the printed wiring board 43 via an interlayer connection conductor 428A. The land 429A is connected to a first input / output terminal (not shown) of the RFIC chip 41 by solder or the like.

  The other end of the helical coil 42B (the metal pin 423D on the outside in the longitudinal direction of the RFIC element 4) is connected to a second input / output terminal (not shown) of the RFIC chip 41. Specifically, a metal pin 423D, which is the other end of the helical coil 42B, is connected to a land 425B on the main surface 43a of the printed wiring board 43. The land 425B is connected to one end of a conductor pattern 427B formed on the back surface 43b of the printed wiring board 43 via an interlayer connection conductor 426B such as a through-hole conductor penetrating the printed wiring board 43. The other end of the conductor pattern 427B is connected to a land 429B formed on the main surface 43a of the printed wiring board 43 via an interlayer connection conductor 428B. The land 429B is connected to a second input / output terminal (not shown) of the RFIC chip 41 by soldering or the like.

  The conductor patterns 427A and 427B provided on the back surface 43b of the printed wiring board 43 are formed in the same manner as the conductor pattern 422 provided on the main surface 43a. The conductor patterns 427A and 427B are covered and protected by a protective layer 46 formed on the back surface 43b of the printed wiring board 43.

  FIG. 13 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the RFID module 2.

  As described above, the helical coils 42A and 42B are built in the RFIC element 4, and the helical coupling portion 5a of the antenna wire 5 is helically wound around the RFIC element 4. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the helical coils 42A and 42B of the RFIC element 4 are arranged in the helical coupling portion 5a of the antenna wire 5. Further, both the winding axis of the helical coupling portion 5a of the antenna wire 5 and the coil axis of the helical coils 42A and 42B are substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the RFIC element 4. With such an arrangement, the helical coupling portion 5a of the antenna wire 5 and the helical coils 42A and 42B can be magnetically coupled with a large degree of coupling.

  More specifically, when the radiating portion 5b of the antenna wire 5 receives a radio wave (signal) from the outside (for example, a reader / writer device of the RFID module 2), a current is generated (induced) in the antenna wire 5. Thus, the helical coupling portion 5a generates a magnetic field. The magnetic flux in the helical coupling portion 5a passes through the helical coils 42A and 42B built in the RFIC element 4. Thereby, a current is generated (induced) in the helical coils 42A and 42B. The RFIC chip 41 is driven by the current.

  The driven RFIC chip 41 supplies a signal (current) corresponding to information stored in an internal storage unit (memory) to the helical coils 42A and 42B. Thereby, the helical coils 42A and 42B generate a magnetic field. The magnetic flux in the helical coils 42A and 42B passes through the helical coupling portion 5a of the antenna wire 5. Thereby, a current is generated (induced) in the antenna wire 5. Radio waves are radiated from the radiating portion 5b of the antenna line 5 by the current.

  The helical coils 42A and 42B are arranged in the helical coupling portion 5a, and the winding axis of the helical coupling portion 5a and the coil axis of the helical coils 42A and 42B are substantially parallel to each other. Is passed through the other. Thereby, the helical coupling portion 5a and the helical coils 42A and 42B can be magnetically coupled with a large degree of coupling. For example, it is possible to realize magnetic field coupling with a higher degree of coupling than when a single loop is used instead of the helical coils 42A and 42B. By performing magnetic field coupling with a large coupling degree, the RFID module 2 can realize a long communication distance.

  In the above description, the antenna wire 5 is helically wound around the outer periphery of the RFIC element 4 so as to be magnetically coupled to the RFIC element 4, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a conductive wire serving as an antenna line may be connected to each of the first input / output terminal and the second input / output terminal of the RFIC element 4 by soldering or the like.

  Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is to be understood that such changes and modifications are intended to be included therein without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

  The invention is particularly useful as a wireless communication device for attaching to textiles such as socks and clothes.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wireless communication device 2 RFID module 3 Sheath part 4 RFIC element 5 Antenna wire 5a Helical coupling part 5b Radiating part 31 1st thread part 32 2nd thread part 41 RFIC chip 42A, 42B Helical coil 43 Printed wiring board 43a Main surface 43b Back surface 44 Resin block body 44a Top surface 45, 46 Protective layers 421, 422, 424, 427A, 427B Conductive patterns 423, 423A, 423B, 423C, 423D Metal pins 425A, 425B, 429A, 429B Lands 426A, 426B, 428A, 428B Interlayer connection conductor IR iron S Socks C Clothes

Claims (10)

An RFID module including an RFIC element, and a conductive antenna line connected to the RFIC element;
A sheath disposed at least on the outer periphery of the RFIC element;
With
At least a part of the sheath portion includes a yarn containing a thermoplastic resin,
Wireless communication device.   The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the sheath is configured to cover the entirety of the RFID module so that the RFID module becomes a core of a sheath-core structure.   The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the RFIC element is entirely covered with the melted and solidified thermoplastic resin.   The wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein both ends of the sheath are closed by the molten and solidified thermoplastic resin.   The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the sheath includes a knitted fabric knitted with the yarn. The antenna wire is helically wound around the outer periphery of the RFIC element, and is configured to be magnetically coupled to the RFIC element.
The wireless communication device according to claim 5, wherein a part of the antenna wire wound around an outer periphery of the RFIC element projects into at least a part of stitches of the knitted fabric.   The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the yarn includes a first yarn portion and a second yarn portion having a higher melting point than the first yarn portion.   The wireless communication device according to claim 7, wherein the first thread portion and the second thread portion are aligned to knit a knitted fabric. The first thread portion knits a tubular knitted fabric on an outer periphery of the RFID module,
The second thread portion is helically wound around the outer periphery of the first thread portion so that the first thread portion is in close contact with the outer periphery of the RFID module.
A wireless communication device according to claim 7.   A textile product, wherein the wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is attached via the melted and solidified thermoplastic resin.

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