RFID Tags

Abstract

To provide an RFID tag having excellent durability even without heat sealing. [Solution] The RFID tag 100 includes a substrate 1, an IC chip 3, and an antenna 2. The substrate 1 is made of a flexible sheet, and the antenna 2 is made of a flexible conductive foil. The antenna 2 has a patch antenna 21c, is connected to the IC chip 3, and is disposed on the substrate 1. The RFID tag 100 has the patch antenna 21c and the substrate 1, and has a plurality of first slits or a plurality of perforations 40 configured to be able to form a plurality of first slits that extend in the vertical direction through the thickness direction and are spaced apart in the horizontal direction. The RFID tag 100 is held by a rod-shaped material by passing the rod-shaped material through the plurality of first slits.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an RFID tag, and more particularly to an RFID tag held by a rod-shaped member. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, RFID tags used for managing products and the like are known. For example, an RFID tag disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured as this type of RFID tag, and includes a base sheet, an antenna, an inlay sheet, an IC chip, and a release sheet. The antenna is disposed on the inlay sheet, and the IC chip is disposed on the antenna. The inlay sheet is disposed on the base sheet via an adhesive. Also, a release sheet is disposed on the upper surface of the antenna and the IC chip via an adhesive. When using this RFID tag, a part of the release sheet is peeled off and the RFID tag is attached to an object with an adhesive, and the antenna comes into contact with the object. If the object has high conductivity such as metal, this RFID tag makes the object function as a pseudo antenna, thereby improving the reading performance.

[0003] There are also examples where RFID tag inlays are used by being affixed to conventional tags. In the case of glasses, an example of a conventional tag is the tag disclosed in Patent Document 2. This tag has a storage section and a locking section formed by overlapping synthetic resin sheets. The locking section has two slits formed in the up-down direction and spaced apart in the left-right direction. The temples of the glasses are passed through these two slits. This allows the tag to be locked to the glasses.

[0004] As disclosed in Fig. 6 of Patent Document 2, the slit is heat sealed. This prevents the edge of the slit from tearing when the temple of the glasses is passed through. However, applying such heat sealing is not preferable because it requires an additional process. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-128397 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 1-136966 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an RFID tag that is highly durable even without heat sealing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the RFID tag according to the present invention includes a substrate, an IC chip, and an antenna. The substrate is made of a flexible sheet, and the antenna is made of a flexible conductive foil. The antenna has a patch antenna, is connected to the IC chip, and is disposed on the sheet. The RFID tag has the patch antenna and a plurality of first slits that extend vertically through the sheet in the thickness direction and are spaced apart in the left-right direction, or a plurality of perforations that are configured to be able to form a plurality of first slits. The RFID tag is held by a rod-shaped material by passing the rod-shaped material through the plurality of first slits.

[0008] The RFID tag may further have a second slit continuing from one or both of the upper and lower ends of the first slit or the perforation and extending in the left-right direction.

[0009] In the RFID tag, a continuous portion between the second slit and the first slit or the perforation may be formed in an arc shape.

[0010] The RFID tag may further include a third slit continuing from an end of the second slit and extending toward the center in the up-down direction.

[0011] In the RFID tag, an end of the third cut may be formed in an arc shape extending in the left-right direction.

[0012] In the above RFID tag, the rod-shaped member may be a temple of glasses.

[0013] In order to solve the above problems, the antenna according to the present invention is an antenna that constitutes an RFID tag together with an IC chip and a substrate, and is made of a flexible conductive foil and has a patch antenna. The patch antenna has a plurality of slits that extend vertically through the thickness direction of the patch antenna and are spaced apart in the left-right direction, or a plurality of perforations that are configured to be able to form the plurality of slits. The substrate on which the antenna is disposed is made of a flexible sheet that has a plurality of slits that extend vertically through the thickness direction and are spaced apart in the left-right direction, or a plurality of perforations that are configured to be able to form the plurality of slits. The antenna is disposed on this substrate so that the slits of the patch antenna and the slits of the substrate overlap, thereby providing the RFID tag with a plurality of slits that penetrate the patch antenna and the substrate in the thickness direction. The plurality of slits of the RFID tag hold the RFID tag on the rod-shaped material by passing the rod-shaped material through them.

[0014] In order to solve the above problems, the substrate according to the present invention is a substrate that constitutes an RFID tag together with an IC chip and an antenna connected to the IC chip, and is made of a flexible sheet. The substrate has (1) a plurality of first slits that penetrate the thickness direction and extend in the up-down direction and are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction, or a plurality of perforations that are configured to be able to form the plurality of first slits, (2) a second slit that continues from one or both of the upper and lower ends of the first slits or the perforations and extends in the left-right direction, and (3) a third slit that continues from an end of the second slit and extends to the center in the up-down direction. The antenna disposed on the substrate is made of a flexible conductive foil, has a patch antenna, and has a plurality of slits that penetrate the patch antenna in the thickness direction. The substrate is provided with an antenna with the slit of the antenna overlapping at least the first slit, thereby providing the RFID tag with a patch antenna and a plurality of slits that penetrate the substrate in the thickness direction. The plurality of slits of the RFID tag hold the RFID tag on a rod-shaped material by passing the rod-shaped material through them. Effect of the Invention

[0015] The RFID tag according to the present invention has excellent durability even without heat sealing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of an RFID tag according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the RFID tag shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an antenna of the RFID tag shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an RFID tag held on eyeglasses. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an RFID tag held by another pair of glasses. [Figure 6] 4A to 4F are plan views showing modified examples of the RFID tag. [Figure 7]FIG. 13 is a plan view showing another modified example of the RFID tag. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an RFID tag according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the X-axis indicates the left-right direction, the Y-axis indicates the up-down direction, and the Z-axis indicates the thickness direction. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are perpendicular to each other.

[0018] 1 to 3, the RFID tag 100 according to this embodiment includes a substrate 1, an antenna 2, and an IC (Integrated circuit) chip 3. The RFID tag 100 according to this embodiment is configured for use with glasses, but this is merely an example, and the RFID tag 100 according to the present invention may be configured to be used with other rod-shaped members.

[0019] 2, the base material 1 is composed of two flexible sheets. However, this is merely an example, and the base material 1 may be composed of one flexible sheet. The base materials 1 are bonded to each other and the base material 1 and the antenna 2 are bonded to each other with an adhesive, but this is merely an example and is not limiting.

[0020] The substrate 1 may be made of, for example, PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), etc. The substrate 1 may also be made of paper, so long as the effects of the present invention can be achieved. The thickness of the substrate 1 is appropriately set depending on the material, and may be, for example, 50 μm to 350 μm.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 1, the lower portion 1a of the substrate 1 is formed into a rectangular shape elongated in the left-right direction, and the upper portion 1b of the substrate 1 is formed into a rectangular shape whose left-right length is shorter than that of the lower portion 1a. However, this is merely an example, and the shape of the substrate 1 is not limited to this. The left-right length of the substrate 1 may be, for example, 40 mm to 60 mm. The vertical length of the substrate 1 may be, for example, 30 mm to 50 mm.

[0022] All corners of the base material 1 are formed in an arc shape. This prevents the corners of the base material 1 from touching the customer's face and injuring the customer's face when the customer puts on the spectacles 200a (200b) holding the base material 1.

[0023] The antenna 2 is used for two-way wireless communication with a reader / writer and for obtaining power to operate the IC chip 3. The antenna 2 is made of a flexible conductive foil and is disposed on the substrate 1. The thickness of the antenna 2 may be, for example, 5 μm to 70 μm. The material of the conductive foil may be copper, aluminum, gold, or the like, and is not particularly limited.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, in this embodiment, the antenna 2 is configured to be covered by two sheets of the base material 1. However, this is merely an example, and for example, the antenna 2 may be configured to expose a portion that contacts the glasses 200a (200b). In this case, the base material 1 may have one or more windows in one or both sheets to expose the antenna 2. The antenna 2 is adhered to the base material 1 by an adhesive.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the antenna 2 has a loop antenna 20 and an asymmetric dipole antenna 21. The loop antenna 20 has two ends (not shown) connected to the IC chip 3, and is formed in a loop shape. The dipole antenna 21 is formed in a first conductor pattern 21a extending from the lower right of the loop antenna 20 along the shape of the substrate 1, a second conductor pattern 21b extending from the upper right of the loop antenna 20 along the shape of the substrate 1, and a rectangular third conductor pattern 21c extending from the second conductor pattern 21b to the upper part 1b of the substrate 1. This third conductor pattern 21c corresponds to the "patch antenna" according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the first and second conductor patterns 21a and 21b are linear, but may be formed in a meandering shape, for example. As described above, the substrate 1 may be configured to expose at least a part of the third conductor pattern 21c.

[0026] The IC chip 3 is an IC chip for RFID and is connected to the loop antenna 20. The IC chip 3 may be connected to the antenna 2 by, for example, a flip-chip mounting method, and the connection method is not particularly limited. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the IC chip 3 is also covered by the base material 1, like the antenna 2.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 1, the RFID tag 100 further has a plurality of (two in this embodiment) slits 4. The slits 4 may be formed, for example, by a punching process in a state where the antenna 2 is superimposed on the base material 1. In the RFID tag 100, the through-hole 5 (see Figs. 4 and 5) through which the temple 201 of the spectacles 200a (200b) passes is formed by the slits 4, so that no waste is generated during processing, improving productivity. The slits 4 are formed by perforations 40 configured to be able to form the first slits 40, the second slits 41, and the third slits 42.

[0028] The two perforations 40 penetrate the third conductor pattern 21c and the base material 1 in the thickness direction, extend in the up-down direction, and are spaced apart in the left-right direction. The perforations 40 are cut off at the seams by a user to form the first slits 40. The length of the first slits 40 is set to a length that allows the temples of glasses to pass through. For example, the length of the first slits 40 may be 10 mm to 250 mm.

[0029] The second slits 41 extend outward in the left-right direction from the top and bottom ends of the perforation 40. The continuous portion between the second slits 41 and the perforation 40 is formed in an arc shape. The continuous portion between the second slits 41 and the perforation 40 does not necessarily have to be in an arc shape, and may simply be formed in an arc shape. The length of the second slits 41 may be, for example, 3 mm to 7 mm.

[0030] The third slit 42 is continuous from an end of the second slit 41 and extends toward the center in the up-down direction. The continuous portion between the third slit 42 and the second slit 41 is formed in an arc shape. Note that the continuous portion between the third slit 42 and the second slit 41 does not necessarily have to be in an arc shape, and may simply be formed in an arc shape.

[0031] Further, the end of the third slit 42 is formed in an arc shape extending toward the perforation 40. The end of the third slit 42 is formed in an arc shape, which gives an aesthetic impression to the consumer. The end of the third slit 42 does not necessarily have to be in an arc shape, and may simply be formed in an arc shape. The length of the third slit 42 may be, for example, 2 mm to 5 mm.

[0032] <Holding method> As described above, the first slit 40 is formed in the RFID tag 100 by cutting off the seam of the perforation 40. Then, as shown in Fig. 4, the RFID tag 100 is formed with a through hole 5 penetrating in the thickness direction by pressing the portion surrounded by the first slit 40, the second slit 41, and the third slit 42. The RFID tag is held in the temple 201 of the glasses 200a by passing the temple 201 through the through hole 5. Also, as shown in Fig. 5, the RFID tag 100 is appropriately held even by the thin temple 201 of the glasses 200b.

[0033] <Effects of this embodiment> In the RFID tag 100, the slit 4 is formed by the base material 1 and the third conductor pattern 21c, so that the durability when held by the temple 201 is improved compared to a slit formed only by the base material 1. In addition, in the RFID tag 100, the base material 1 and the antenna 2 are flexible, and the through hole 5 has a width of about 5 mm in the left-right direction, so that the temple 201 can be easily passed through the through hole 5 even if the temple 201 is wide or thick. This allows the RFID tag 100 to suppress the tensile stress caused when the temple 201 is passed through.

[0034] In addition, in the RFID tag 100, the continuous portion between the first slit 40 and the second slit 41 and the continuous portion between the second slit 41 and the third slit 42 are both formed in an arc shape (circular arc shape), thereby preventing tensile stress from concentrating at one point. This prevents the RFID tag 100 from breaking when the temple 201 is passed through the through hole 5. Moreover, in the RFID tag 100, both ends of the slit 4 (ends of the third slit 42) are formed in an arc shape (circular arc shape), thereby dispersing the direction of the tensile stress applied to the ends of the slit 4, and as a result, the RFID tag 100 has greater durability. In addition, as described above, the end of the third slit 42 is formed in an arc shape in the RFID tag 100, which gives a sense of beauty to consumers.

[0035] When the RFID tag 100 is held by a conductive rod-shaped material, the third conductor pattern 21c is close to the rod-shaped material, and the antenna 2 is electrically connected to the rod-shaped material by capacitive coupling. When the antenna 2 is electrically connected to the rod-shaped material, the RFID tag 100 can make the rod-shaped material function as an antenna. This improves the antenna performance of the RFID tag 100. Note that when the third conductor pattern 21c is exposed, the antenna 2 is electrically connected to the rod-shaped material more stably because the resistance is lower.

[0036] 5 is made of a conductive material such as metal. Therefore, when the RFID tag 100 is held by the temple 201 and the antenna 2 is electrically connected to the temple 201, the temple 201 can function as an antenna, improving the antenna performance.

[0037] In addition, in the RFID tag 100, the through hole 5 is formed by the third conductor pattern 21c and the base material 1, so that the third conductor pattern 21c extends to the edge of the through hole 5. As a result, even if the RFID tag 100 is bent while being held by a rod-shaped material, the antenna 2 can be properly electrically connected to the temple 201 because the third conductor pattern 21c is always close to the rod-shaped material. In other words, the RFID tag 100 can suppress deterioration of the electrical connection due to the shape of the rod-shaped material. As a result, the antenna 2 can be properly electrically connected to the temple 201 of the eyeglasses 200 even if the temple 201 has an uneven surface or is bent.

[0038] In addition, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the tongue 6 formed by the first, second and third notches 40, 41, 42 comes into contact with the temple 201, thereby improving the degree of adhesion between the antenna 2 and the temple 201, and allowing the antenna 2 to be electrically connected more appropriately to the temple 201.

[0039] Although one embodiment of the RFID tag of the present invention has been described above, the RFID tag of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The RFID tag of the present invention may be configured, for example, according to the following modifications or by appropriately combining the following modifications.

[0040] <Modification> As shown in Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B, the lengths of the second slit 41 and the third slit 42 may be asymmetrical in the vertical direction. As shown in Fig. 6C to Fig. 6E, the RFID tag 100 may further include a first slit 40, and the length of the first slit 40 may differ between the outer side and the center side. As shown in Fig. 6F, the RFID tag 100 may further include left and right through-holes 43 penetrating the third conductor pattern 21c and the base material 1 in the thickness direction. In this case, the RFID tag 100 is held by a rod-shaped material that is passed through the through-holes 43 together with the through-holes 5 formed by the first slits 40.

[0041] 7, a portion of the slit 4 does not have to penetrate the third conductor pattern 21c. Even in this case, the durability of the RFID tag 100 is improved because a portion of the slit 4 is formed by the third conductor pattern 21c and the substrate 1. In this case, the RFID tag 100 can be turned upside down and a rod-shaped material can be passed through it, thereby further increasing the durability of the portion that contacts the rod-shaped material and more appropriately electrically connecting the antenna 2 to the rod-shaped material. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 100 RFID Tags 1 Base material 1a Lower 1b Upper part 2 Antennas 20 Loop antenna (first pattern) 21 Dipole antenna 21a First conductor pattern 21b Second conductor pattern 21c Third conductor pattern (patch antenna) 3. IC chip 4. Cut 40 First cut (perforation) 41 Second cut 42 Third cut 43 Through hole 5 Through hole 6 Tongue piece 200a glasses 200b glasses 201 Temple

Claims

1. A substrate constituted by a flexible sheet; An IC chip; an antenna made of a flexible conductor foil, having a patch antenna, connected to the IC chip, and disposed on the base material; The patch antenna and the base material have a plurality of first slits extending in the vertical direction and spaced apart in the horizontal direction, or a plurality of perforations configured to be able to form the plurality of first slits, An RFID tag is held on a rod-shaped material by passing the rod-shaped material through the plurality of first notches.

2. The RFID tag according to claim 1 , further comprising a second slit continuing from one or both of the upper and lower ends of the first slit or the perforation and extending in the left-right direction.

3. The RFID tag according to claim 2 , wherein a continuous portion between the second slit and the first slit or the perforation is formed in an arc shape.

4. The RFID tag according to claim 3 , further comprising a third slit continuing from an end of the second slit and extending toward the center in the up-down direction.

5. The RFID tag according to claim 4 , wherein an end of the third cutout is formed in an arc shape extending in the left-right direction.

6. The RFID tag according to claim 5 , wherein the rod-shaped member is a temple of glasses.

7. An antenna constituting an RFID tag together with an IC chip and a substrate, The flexible conductive foil is used. A patch antenna having a plurality of slits extending in the vertical direction through the thickness direction and spaced apart in the horizontal direction, or a plurality of perforations configured to be able to form the plurality of slits, The antenna has a base material made of a flexible sheet having a plurality of slits extending in the vertical direction and spaced apart in the horizontal direction, or a plurality of perforations configured to form the plurality of slits, and the slits of the patch antenna are arranged so as to overlap with the slits of the base material, thereby providing the RFID tag with a plurality of slits that penetrate the patch antenna and the base material in the thickness direction, and through which a rod-shaped material is passed to hold the RFID tag to the rod-shaped material.

8. A substrate constituting an RFID tag together with an IC chip and an antenna connected to the IC chip, It is made of a flexible sheet, A plurality of first slits extending in the vertical direction through the thickness direction and spaced apart in the horizontal direction, or a plurality of perforations configured to be able to form the plurality of first slits; A second slit continuing from one or both of the upper and lower ends of the first slit or the perforation and extending in the left-right direction; a third slit continuing from an end of the second slit and extending toward the center in the up-down direction; A substrate having a patch antenna made of flexible conductor foil and having multiple slits penetrating the patch antenna in a thickness direction, the antenna being positioned so that the slits of the antenna overlap at least the first slit, thereby providing the RFID tag with multiple slits penetrating the patch antenna and the substrate in the thickness direction, the multiple slits through which a rod-shaped material is passed to hold the RFID tag to the rod-shaped material.

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