RFID tags for automobiles, and methods for manufacturing RFID tags for automobiles

Abstract

To provide an automotive RFID tag with superior communication performance compared to conventional configurations.SOLUTION: An automotive RFID tag 1 including a sheet-like base material 2 and an RFID label 3 affixed to one surface side of the sheet-like base material 2 has a hook shape 5 formed on an upper part of the sheet-like base material 2, which can be engaged with a support shaft Q of a rearview mirror P of a motor vehicle, and is configured so as to be hung inside a windshield S of the motor vehicle by being engaged with the support shaft Q. According to this configuration, it is relatively difficult to change a communicable distance of the automotive RFID tag 1 with respect to the direction of a reader / writer, so that information can be read and written appropriately from various directions compared to conventional configurations.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automotive RFID tag temporarily attached to an automobile. Background Art

[0002] When transporting automobiles or auctioning used cars, a tag printed with necessary information such as the destination, model, estimated arrival date, and exhibition number of the automobile is attached to the inner side of the windshield, so that the necessary information can be visually recognized from the outer side of the windshield (for example, Patent Document 1). In recent years, in order to enable mechanical reading of necessary information, an RFID label recording the necessary information is affixed to the tag instead of or in addition to printing on the tag. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 9(A), a conventional tag 1a is formed by affixing an RFID label 3 to one side surface of a sheet-like base material 2a provided with an adhesive layer 4 on the upper portion, and as shown in Fig. 9(B), the tag is attached to an automobile by affixing the upper portion of the sheet-like base material 2a to the inner surface of a windshield S. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0003] Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-338096 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, it is desirable for such automotive RFID tags to be able to read and write information from various directions. However, due to the characteristics of the tag and the influence of the external environment, the communicable distance of an automotive RFID tag varies depending on the direction of the reader / writer: communication is possible from a relatively far distance in one direction, but communication is only possible when approaching relatively closely from another direction.

[0005] The communication range increases or decreases depending on the output of the reader / writer. Increasing the reader / writer's output allows communication from a distance, even from directions with a relatively short communication range. However, increasing the reader / writer's output expands the communication range overall, potentially leading to simultaneous communication with RFID tags on nearby vehicles. This raises concerns about difficulties in distinguishing between RFID tags or accidentally reading / writing information from other vehicles' RFID tags. Conversely, reducing the reader / writer's output avoids simultaneous communication with RFID tags on nearby vehicles, but it becomes impossible to read or write information from directions with a relatively short communication range unless the reader / writer is brought close to the RFID tag.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the current situation, and aims to provide an automotive RFID tag with superior communication performance compared to conventional configurations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problem, the inventors, after much trial and error, discovered that when the tag is not attached to the inner surface of the windshield but is suspended from the rearview mirror's support shaft, the communication range becomes relatively stable with respect to the direction of the reader / writer, thus completing the present invention.

[0008] The present invention relates to an automotive RFID tag comprising a sheet-like substrate and an RFID label attached to one side of the sheet-like substrate, wherein the upper part of the sheet-like substrate is formed in a hook shape that can engage with the pivot shaft of a rearview mirror of an automobile, and the RFID tag is characterized in that it is engaged with the pivot shaft and suspended on the inside of the windshield of an automobile.

[0009] As described above, when an automotive RFID tag is suspended from the pivot of a rearview mirror, the communication range becomes relatively stable with respect to the direction of the reader / writer. Therefore, compared to conventional configurations, the automotive RFID tag of the present invention allows for appropriate reading and writing of information from various directions.

[0010] In the present invention, the hook shape comprises an engagement hole of a size that can be fitted onto the support shaft, and an insertion opening that connects the outer edge of the sheet-like substrate to the engagement hole, and the RFID label is affixed so that the antenna is below the upper edge of the engagement hole, does not overlap with the center line of the engagement hole, and is at least 5 cm away from the upper edge of the engagement hole.

[0011] Considering that the RFID label is suspended by fitting the engagement hole onto the pivot shaft of the rearview mirror, it is desirable that the RFID label according to the present invention be affixed below the upper edge of the engagement hole. Also, as mentioned above, increasing the output of the reader / writer can extend the communication range with the automotive RFID tag, but generally, higher output reader / writers are more expensive, and those with an output above a certain level require a license to use. From this perspective, it is desirable that the RFID label be affixed at a position where the antenna does not overlap with the center line of the engagement hole and is at least 5 cm away from the upper edge of the engagement hole. According to the inventor's research, affixing the RFID label at such a position results in a relatively longer communication range for the automotive RFID tag. Therefore, with this configuration, the communication range for the automotive RFID tag can be easily extended without increasing the output of the reader / writer.

[0012] Furthermore, in the present invention, the RFID label is substantially rectangular in shape, the sheet-like substrate has a through hole formed along at least one side of the RFID label, and the RFID label is attached to the sheet-like substrate such that at least one side is adjacent to a punched-out burr that protrudes from the edge of the through hole toward the one side.

[0013] The communication range of the automotive RFID tag of the present invention changes relatively significantly depending on the angle at which the RFID label is attached. Therefore, in the present invention, it is desirable to reduce errors in the angle at which the RFID label is attached. With this configuration, when attaching the RFID label to a sheet-like substrate, the attachment angle of the RFID label can be correctly aligned by bringing one edge of the RFID label into contact with the punched burr. As a result, even when attaching the RFID label manually or using a low-function label attaching machine, it is possible to attach it accurately and easily at the required angle. Furthermore, since these punched-out burrs can be formed simply by punching through holes into a sheet-like substrate, they are easier to manufacture than printing trim marks on the application area of ​​the RFID label, and they are less conspicuous and aesthetically superior compared to trim marks.

[0014] The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an RFID tag for automobiles, characterized in that the RFID label is substantially rectangular in shape, and the method includes a punching step of punching out the sheet-like substrate from the opposite side of one side to form a through hole along the area to which the RFID label is to be attached, and an attachment step of attaching the RFID label to the sheet-like substrate after the punching step, such that the punched burr formed on the edge of the through hole is adjacent to one side of the RFID label.

[0015] According to this manufacturing method, even when RFID labels are applied manually or using low-performance labeling machines during the application process, the RFID labels can be applied accurately and easily at the required application angle.

[0016] Furthermore, in the above manufacturing method, it is proposed that in the punching step, the hook shape and the through hole are simultaneously formed on the sheet-like substrate using a punching blade.

[0017] In this configuration, through-holes can be formed inexpensively around the area where the RFID label is to be attached, without increasing the number of steps required to punch out the sheet-like substrate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] As described above, the automotive RFID tag of the present invention has superior communication performance compared to conventional configurations. Further, according to the manufacturing method of the present invention, the automotive RFID tag can be easily manufactured. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] [Figure 1] They are (A) a front view and (B) a back view of the automotive RFID tag 1 according to the example. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the automotive RFID tag 1 according to the example, showing a sheet-shaped base material 2 and an RFID label 3 separately. [Figure 3] It is an explanatory view showing a state where the automotive RFID tag 1 according to the example is attached to a support shaft Q of a rearview mirror P. [Figure 4] (A) is an enlarged view of portion X in FIG. 1(B). (B) is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line Y-Y in (A). [Figure 5] It is an explanatory view showing a mode of attaching the RFID label 3 to a label attaching portion 14 of the sheet-shaped base material 2. [Figure 6] It is an explanatory view showing the communication direction of a reader / writer with respect to the automotive RFID tag 1. [Figure 7] (A) is a chart showing the results of Evaluation Test 1, and (B) is a chart showing dispersion coefficients calculated from the results in (A). [Figure 8] It is a chart showing the results of Evaluation Test 2. [Figure 9] (A) is a back view of a conventional automotive RFID tag 1a, and (B) is an explanatory view showing a state where the conventional automotive RFID tag 1a is attached to a windshield S of an automobile. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will be described by the following examples. In the following embodiments, one side of the sheet-like substrate according to the present invention corresponds to the back side of the sheet-like substrate 2. Also, the hook shape according to the present invention corresponds to the engaging hook 5. Furthermore, the area where the label is to be attached according to the present invention corresponds to the label attachment area 14.

[0021] The automotive RFID tag 1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "tag") of this embodiment is in the form of a sheet, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, it consists of a sheet-like substrate 2 that is roughly rectangular in shape and an RFID label 3 attached to the back side of the sheet-like substrate 2.

[0022] The sheet-like substrate 2 is made of a sheet having appropriate flexibility and strength. The sheet-like substrate 2 is preferably made of a material that does not interfere with the wireless communication of the RFID label 3, and can be suitably made of paper or a resin sheet. The sheet-like substrate 2 may be a single layer, or it may be made of multiple laminated sheets. Examples of resin materials that can be used for the sheet-like substrate 2 include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyacetal (POM), polycarbonate (PC), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). In this embodiment, the tag 1 only reads and writes the stored information of the RFID label 3 via wireless communication, and the sheet-like substrate 2 is not printed on and is plain.

[0023] The RFID label 3 is a thin-film information medium that allows information to be read and written contactlessly via wireless communication. Such an RFID label 3 can widely utilize general-purpose products used in conventional automotive RFID tags.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the RFID label 3 is formed by arranging an IC chip 11 and a thin-film antenna 12 on one side of a roughly elongated rectangular label substrate 10 made of synthetic resin film, and forming an adhesive layer (not shown) on the other side of the label substrate 10.

[0025] The antenna 12 can be formed by printing a conductive material in a predetermined pattern on one side of the label substrate 10. The antenna 12 according to this embodiment is a planar dipole antenna for wireless communication using electromagnetic waves in the UHF band. The electromagnetic waves used by the RFID label according to the present invention for wireless communication are not limited to electromagnetic waves in the UHF band, but those that communicate using electromagnetic waves in the UHF band, which enable relatively long-distance communication, are preferred.

[0026] The IC chip 11 is fixed to a predetermined connection point on the antenna 12 and electrically connected to the antenna 12. The IC chip 11 has a memory capable of storing information in a rewritable manner, and is configured to store necessary information in the memory and read the stored information at any time by wirelessly communicating with an external device via the antenna 12. In the automotive RFID tag 1 of this embodiment, vehicle identification information, destination, expected arrival date, transportation status, etc., are stored in the IC chip 11 and used for the management of the vehicle.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the tag 1 of this embodiment is used by suspending it from the pivot shaft Q of the rearview mirror P of the automobile with its front side facing the front of the automobile. As shown in Figure 1, an engagement hook 5 is formed on the upper part of the sheet-like base material 2 for hooking the tag 1 onto the pivot shaft Q of the rearview mirror P. The engagement hook 5 is made by punching out the sheet-like base material 2 into an open annular hook shape that can engage with the pivot shaft Q, and consists of a horizontally elongated elliptical engagement hole 6 that is large enough to fit onto the pivot shaft Q, and an insertion opening 7 that connects the upper edge of the sheet-like base material 2 to the engagement hole 6. The engagement hook 5 is formed in a symmetrical shape in the center of the width direction of the tag 1 so that the tag 1 hangs without tilting.

[0028] The engagement hole 6 is formed to a width that allows the support shaft Q of the rearview mirror P of most vehicle types to be loosely fitted. The insertion opening 7 is a vertical cut line that connects the upper edge of the sheet-like base material 2 and the center of the upper edge of the engagement hole 6, and is formed at a position that divides the sheet-like base material 2 into left and right halves. As shown in Figure 1, the side edges of the insertion opening 7 are normally in contact without any gaps, but by bending the sheet-like base material 2 on both sides of the insertion opening 7 in opposite directions to temporarily separate them, the opening can be expanded to a width that allows the support shaft Q of the rearview mirror P to be inserted.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, the engagement hole 6 of the engagement hook 5 has a projection 9 that protrudes downward at the center of its upper edge. In this configuration, when the tag 1 is suspended from a relatively large diameter support shaft Q1, as shown in Figure 1(A), the lower end of the projection 9 of the engagement hole 6 is brought into contact with the center of the support shaft Q1, thereby creating point contact between the engagement hook 5 and the support shaft Q, and the tag 1 can be suspended without tilting. On the other hand, when the tag 1 is suspended from a relatively small diameter support shaft Q2, as shown in Figure 1(B), the sides of the projection 9 are brought into contact with the upper surface of the support shaft Q2, and the tag 1 can be suspended without tilting.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the RFID label 3 is affixed vertically to a label application area 14 located on the lower side of the back of the sheet-like substrate 2 via an adhesive layer. The label application area 14 is a vertically elongated rectangular area slightly larger than the RFID label 3. Slit-shaped through holes 16 are formed vertically and horizontally along the outer edge of the label application area 14 at the four corners, and the RFID label 3 is affixed so that it does not overlap with each of the four corner through holes 16, but fits inside the through holes 16.

[0031] The through holes 16 at the four corners of the label attachment section 14 are formed by punching out the sheet-like substrate 2 from the front to the back, and as shown in Figure 4, punched burrs 17 are formed on the edges of the through holes 16, protruding to the back side of the sheet-like substrate 2. With this configuration, when attaching the RFID label 3 to the label attachment section 14, the through holes 16 at the four corners of the label attachment section 14 can be used as a guide, and the punched burrs 17 formed on the edges of the through holes 16 can be used as a positioning guide. That is, since the punched burrs 17 of each through hole 16 are formed vertically and horizontally along the outer edge of the label attachment section 14, as shown in Figures 4(A) and 4(B), the RFID label 3 can be attached at the correct angle by attaching it so that one side of the RFID label 3 is adjacent to the punched burr 17 of the through hole 16 on any one side of the label attachment section 14.

[0032] Specifically, when attaching the RFID label 3, as shown in Figure 5(A)→5(B), if one edge of the RFID label 3 is brought against the punched-out burr 17 formed on the lower edge of the label attachment area 14, and in this state, the label is attached so that one side of the label attachment area 14 is adjacent to the punched-out burr 17, the RFID label 3 can be easily attached in the correct orientation, even when attaching it manually or using a low-function label attachment machine. The communication range of the automotive RFID tag 1 is easily affected by the angle of the RFID label 3, so it is necessary to attach the RFID label 3 accurately at a constant attachment angle. However, by using the punched-out burr 17 as an alignment guide in this way, the RFID label 3 can be easily attached at the correct attachment angle, even when using manually or a low-function label attachment machine.

[0033] Furthermore, such through holes 16 and punched burrs 17 can be easily formed by simply punching through holes 16 around the label attachment area 14. In particular, since the sheet-like substrate 2a according to this embodiment is plain, printing markings such as trim marks around the label attachment area 14 would increase the number of steps required to print the markings, and the appearance of the sheet-like substrate 2a would also be impaired by the markings. However, since through holes 16 can be punched at the same time as the engagement hooks 5, etc., there is no need to increase the number of steps, and the appearance of the sheet-like substrate 2 is less likely to be impaired than if markings were printed.

[0034] Furthermore, the punched-out burrs 17 formed on the edge of the through-hole 16 rise at a sharper angle from the surface of the sheet-like substrate 2 compared to the protrusions formed by the creasing process, making them suitable as guides for positioning the edges of the RFID label 3 when attaching the RFID label 3. The height of the punched-out burrs 17 is not particularly limited, but according to the inventor's research, if they protrude at least 10 μm from the back surface of the sheet-like substrate 2, they can function sufficiently as guides for positioning the edges of the RFID label 3.

[0035] Although the RFID label 3 shown in Figure 4, etc., is affixed adjacent to the punched-out burr 17 formed along the lower edge of the label application area 14, the RFID label 3 can also be easily affixed to the label application area 14 at the correct angle if it is affixed adjacent to the punched-out burr 17 formed along the upper edge of the RFID label 3.

[0036] Here, the vertical width of the label attachment area 14 is formed to be several millimeters wider than the vertical width of the RFID label 3. With this configuration, by manufacturing tags 1 with the RFID label 3 adjacent to the lower edge of the label attachment area 14 and tags 1 with the RFID label 3 adjacent to the upper edge of the label attachment area 14, and stacking them, the IC chip 11 becomes less likely to be damaged when the tags 1 are stacked and stored. In other words, generally, because the area where the IC chip 11 is placed on an RFID label 3 is raised, when tags 1 with RFID labels 3 attached in the same position are stacked, the area where the IC chip 11 is placed becomes locally thicker, making it more susceptible to damage from pressure from above and below. In contrast, for tags 1 with the RFID label 3 adjacent to the lower edge of the label attachment area 14 and tags 1 with the RFID label 3 adjacent to the upper edge of the label attachment area 14, the misalignment of the RFID label 3's attachment position is greater than the width of the IC chip (approximately 1 mm square). Therefore, when these are stacked, the IC chips 11 do not overlap in the thickness direction, making the area where the IC chip 11 is placed less likely to become thicker and less susceptible to damage from pressure from above and below.

[0037] The tag 1 of this embodiment can be manufactured, for example, by a punching step of punching out a sheet-like substrate 2 from a raw material, and an attachment step of attaching an RFID label 3 to the punched-out sheet-like substrate 2.

[0038] In the punching process, the raw material is punched into the shape of a sheet-like substrate 2 using a punching blade to form the sheet-like substrate 2. In the punching process, the manufacturing process can be simplified by punching out the shape of the engaging hook 5 on the upper part of the sheet-like substrate 2 and simultaneously punching out through holes 16 along the periphery of the label attachment portion 14. Furthermore, in this punching process, by punching the through holes 16 from the front side to the back side of the sheet-like substrate 2, punching burrs 17 that protrude to the back side of the sheet-like substrate 2 can be formed on the edge of the through holes 16.

[0039] In the application process, the RFID label 3 is applied to the label application area 14 of the punched sheet-like substrate 2. The RFID label 3 may be applied using a label application machine, but even when applied by hand, as described above, it can be easily applied at the correct application angle by aligning one side of the RFID label 3 with the punched burr 17 at the edge of the through-hole 16.

[0040] As described above, the tag 1 in this embodiment is used while suspended from the pivot axis Q of the rearview mirror P of the automobile (see Figure 3). Generally, the IC chip 11 of the RFID label 3 has the vehicle's identification information recorded on it before the tag 1 is attached to the automobile.

[0041] Tag 1 is suspended from the pivot axis Q of the rearview mirror P, and is configured so that the information recorded on the RFID label 3 can be read and written contactlessly from outside the vehicle by a reader / writer. Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, Tag 1 is configured to communicate with the reader / writer mainly from the front, diagonally in front, and both sides of the Tag 1 installation location. This is because communication is difficult from behind the Tag 1 installation location due to many obstacles such as the driver, seats, and rearview mirrors. The reader / writer can be any device capable of reading and writing information from the RFID label 3, and may be a portable type used by a worker, or a stationary type installed at the vehicle's entry / exit gate, etc.

[0042] In this embodiment, tag 1 is configured to communicate with a reader / writer from the front, diagonally in front, and both sides. Therefore, the direction of communication with the reader / writer can be adjusted depending on the application and circumstances. The communication range of tag 1 varies depending on the performance of the RFID label 3, the attachment position, the performance of the reader / writer, etc. However, in this embodiment, tag 1 suspended from the pivot axis Q of the rearview mirror P exhibits less variation in the communication distance with respect to the communication direction with the reader / writer compared to a conventional tag attached to the windshield S. This is because, as shown in Figure 3, the rearview mirror P is located on the front side of the upper center of the windshield S, and tag 1 in this embodiment, suspended from the pivot axis Q of the rearview mirror P, is positioned further away from the windshield S than a conventional tag 1a, thus making it less likely to interfere with the windshield S.

[0043] Thus, compared to conventional configurations, Tag 1 of this embodiment exhibits less variation in the communication range with respect to the communication direction with the reader / writer. This reduces the effort required to adjust the reader / writer output according to the communication direction, and also enables simultaneous communication with tags of nearby vehicles, reducing problems such as difficulty in distinguishing between tags or accidentally reading and writing information from other vehicles' tags.

[0044] Furthermore, with conventionally configured tags, the attachment position on the windshield S is not fixed, and the placement of the tags varies depending on the worker attaching them, resulting in variations in the communication range of the tags depending on the attachment position. However, with the tag 1 of this embodiment, which is suspended from the support shaft Q of the rearview mirror P, the tag 1 is always placed in the same position, which has the advantage of making it easier to determine the communication range of the tag 1.

[0045] Furthermore, the conventional tag 1a is attached to the windshield S, which can easily obstruct the driver's view. If the vehicle is to be driven with the tag 1a attached, it must be attached to the passenger side of the windshield S. In contrast, the tag 1 of this embodiment is suspended from the pivot Q of the rearview mirror P and positioned behind the rearview mirror P. Therefore, it is less likely to obstruct the driver's view, and the vehicle can be driven even with the tag 1 suspended.

[0046] The communication performance of Tag 1 in the example was evaluated by the following evaluation test. <Test sample> In accordance with the above example, a tag with the following specifications was manufactured and used as a test sample. 1. Sheet-type base material: White cardboard, 180mm (length) x 105mm (width), 240μm (thickness) 2. RFID label: KT-7xm (Kobayashi Create) 73mm (height), 17mm (width), frequency band 860-960MHz 3. Placement: Apply vertically to the lower right side of the back of the sheet-like substrate 2.

[0047] <Comparison product> A conventional tag with a design suitable for attachment to the windshield S was fabricated and used as a comparison sample. The RFID label used was the same as that of the test sample, and the tag size was also approximately the same as that of the test sample.

[0048] <Evaluation Test 1> The above test samples were attached to the pivot points of the rearview mirrors of vehicles A and B, and the communication range of reader / writer A and B was measured from various directions. Similarly, the above comparison samples were attached to the windshields of vehicles A and B, and the communication range of reader / writer A and B was measured from various directions. The details of the measurement conditions are as follows. Vehicle A: Station wagon (Toyota) Vehicle B: Fastback sedan (Mazda) Reader / Writer A: BHT-615 (Denso Wave) Output 24dBm, communication frequency 920MHz Reader / Writer B: ASR0230D (asterisk) Output 24dBm, communication frequency 920MHz Measurement directions: Four directions from the right of the tag, front right, front, and front left. Measurement height: Measured at a position where the reader / writer and tag antenna are at the same height. Measurement method: With the reader / writer antenna pointed towards the tag, the distance was gradually reduced while attempting to read the tag's recorded information from a distance. The position where the tag's recorded information was successfully read was defined as the communication range under the measurement conditions.

[0049] The results of Evaluation Test 1 are shown in Figure 7(A). As shown in Figure 7(A), the communication range of the test product and the comparison product varied depending on the direction of the reader / writer relative to the tag. However, as shown in Figure 7(B), the degree of variation (variance coefficient) with respect to the measurement direction was smaller for the test product than for the comparison product. This result suggests that suspending the tag from the support axis Q of the rearview mirror P suppresses the variation in the communication range with respect to the direction of the reader / writer more effectively than attaching the tag to the inner surface of the windshield S.

[0050] <Test sample> A wide sheet-like substrate 2 was prepared, and 12 test samples were created with different placements of the RFID label 3 on the sheet-like substrate 2. 1. Sheet-type base material: White cardboard, 180mm (length) x 300mm (width), 240μm (thickness) 2. RFID label: KT-7xm (Kobayashi Create) 73mm (height), 17mm (width), frequency band 860-960MHz

[0051] <Evaluation Test 2> Each test unit was attached to the rearview mirror pivot of vehicle B, and the communication range of reader / writer A was measured. The details of the measurement conditions are as follows. Vehicle B: Fastback sedan (Mazda) Reader / Writer A: BHT-615 (Denso Wave) Output 24dBm, communication frequency 920MHz Measurement direction: Right front of the tag Measurement height: Measured at a position where the reader / writer and tag antenna are at the same height. Measurement method: With the reader / writer antenna pointed towards the tag, the distance was gradually reduced while attempting to read the tag's recorded information from a distance. The position where the tag's recorded information was successfully read was defined as the communication range under the measurement conditions.

[0052] The results of Evaluation Test 2 are shown in Figure 8. In Figure 8, the numbers 1.4 to 2.5 displayed below and to the right of the engagement hole 6 indicate the communication range (m) of each test specimen, and the position of each number indicates the position of the upper edge of the antenna 12 of the RFID label 3 attached to the test specimen. As shown in Figure 8, the communication range of the test specimen tended to be relatively short when the upper edge of the antenna 12 of the RFID label 3 was less than 5 cm from the center of the upper edge of the engagement hole 6, and also tended to be relatively short when the antenna 12 coincided with the center line that divides the engagement hole 6 into left and right halves. This result suggests that the communication range of tag 1 is relatively long when the RFID label 3 is attached at a position where the antenna 12 does not coincide with the center line of the engagement hole 6 and is 5 cm or more away from the upper edge of the engagement hole 6. Furthermore, this result suggests that the communication range from that side can be increased by attaching the RFID label 3 to one side of the engagement hole 6.

[0053] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the configurations of the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0054] For example, although the sheet-like substrate 2 in the above embodiment is plain, vehicle identification information or the like may be printed on the front side of the sheet-like substrate 2 so that the printed information can be visually confirmed from outside the windshield S.

[0055] Furthermore, the hook shape according to the present invention is not limited to the shape of the engaging hook 5 in the above embodiment, but is sufficient as long as it can be detachably engaged with the pivot shaft of a rearview mirror of an automobile.

[0056] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, through holes 16 and punched burrs 17 are formed along the four sides of the label application portion 14, but in the present invention, it is sufficient if the through holes and punched burrs are formed along at least one side of the label application portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1,1a Automotive RFID tags 2,2a Sheet-like substrate 3 RFID Labels 4. Adhesive layer 5. Engaging hook (hook shape) 6 Engagement holes 7. Insertion port 9. Protrusion 10 Label substrates 11 IC chips 12 antennas 14 Label application area 16 Through holes 17 Punching burrs P Rearview mirror Q, Q1, Q2 shafts S Windshield

Claims

1. An automotive RFID tag comprising a sheet-like substrate and an RFID label affixed to one side of the sheet-like substrate, The upper part of the sheet-like substrate is formed into a hook shape that can engage with the support shaft of a rearview mirror of an automobile. An RFID tag for automobiles, characterized by being engaged with the aforementioned support shaft and suspended inside the windshield of an automobile.

2. The hook shape comprises an engagement hole sized to fit onto the support shaft, and a through opening that connects the outer edge of the sheet-like base material with the engagement hole. The RFID tag for automobiles according to claim 1, characterized in that the RFID label is affixed to an antenna located below the upper edge of the engagement hole, in a position that does not overlap with the center line of the engagement hole, and at a distance of 5 cm or more from the upper edge of the engagement hole.

3. The RFID label is roughly rectangular in shape. The sheet-like substrate has through holes formed along at least one side of the RFID label. The RFID tag for automobiles according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the RFID label is affixed to the sheet-like substrate such that at least one side is adjacent to a punched burr protruding from the edge of the through hole toward the one-sided side.

4. A method for manufacturing an automotive RFID tag according to claim 1 or claim 2, The RFID label is roughly rectangular in shape. A punching step in which the sheet-like substrate is punched out from the opposite side of the one side to form through holes along the area where the RFID label is to be attached, Following the punching step, the RFID label is attached to the sheet-like substrate in a bonding step, such that the punched-out burr formed on the edge of the through-hole and one side of the RFID label are adjacent to each other. A method for manufacturing an RFID tag for automobiles, characterized by including the following:

5. The method for manufacturing an automotive RFID tag according to claim 4, characterized in that the punching step simultaneously forms the hook shape and the through hole in a sheet-like substrate using a punching blade.

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