courage

Abstract

A container is provided that can perform stable communication with an RFID tag, wherein the container includes metal. The insulating container (1) accommodates an electronic component (M) and is mounted on a predetermined mounting surface (51), and comprises a surface (11) that the electronic component (M) can contact and a back surface (12) facing the mounting surface (51), a bottom plate portion (10) that supports the electronic component (M), and an RFID tag (30) disposed on the back surface (12) side of the bottom plate portion (10). The bottom plate portion (10) has a contact surface (16a) that contacts the mounting surface (51) and a separation portion (17) disposed between the RFID tag (30) and the surface (11), the thickness (X1) being 0.5 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container including an RFID tag. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, a container is known that enables the management of a contained item by communicating with an antenna of a reading device to an IC tag, such as an RFID tag, on which various information regarding the contained item is entered (see, for example, Patent Document 1 et al.). Prior art literature

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. JP 2007-176550 The problem to be solved

[0004] However, when the receiving material is an electronic component containing metal, communication waves emitted from the antenna of the reading device interfere with reflected waves reflected by the metal, making stable communication impossible.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a container capable of performing stable communication with an RFID tag even if the receiving material includes metal. means of solving the problem

[0006] A container according to the present invention is an insulating container that accommodates a hydrate and is mounted on a predetermined mounting surface, comprising a surface that the hydrate may contact and a rear surface facing the mounting surface, a bottom plate portion that supports the hydrate, and an RFID tag disposed on the rear surface of the bottom plate portion.

[0007] The above bottom plate portion has a contact surface that contacts the mounting surface and a separation portion that is positioned between the RFID tag and the surface and has a thickness (X1) of 0.5 mm or more and 10 mm or less. Effects of the invention

[0008] According to the present invention, stable communication with respect to an RFID tag can be performed even if the receiving material is metal or contains metal. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0009] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which a container according to an embodiment is mounted on a table including an RFID tag. FIG. 2 is a back view of a container according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an RFID tag according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 1 showing a separation part according to an embodiment. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a deformation of the separation part. FIG. 6 is a plan view conceptually illustrating a manufacturing system using a container according to an embodiment. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0011] FIG. 1 schematically shows a side cross-section of a container (1) according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the inside of the container (1). The container (1) accommodates a number of electronic components (M) as contained items in a scattered state. The container (1) is mounted on a mounting surface (51) of a predetermined table (50). The capacity of the container (1) can accommodate, for example, about 1,000 to 300,000 electronic components (M). Meanwhile, the electronic components (M) may be placed in a bag and then accommodated in the container (1). The container (1) is molded from an insulating resin such as polycarbonate.

[0012] As for the electronic component (M), small electronic components such as multilayer ceramic capacitors and inductors are preferred, and particularly small electronic components in the form of chips containing metal are preferred. For example, a multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a multilayer laminate in which an internal electrode layer mainly composed of a metal such as Ni or Cu is sandwiched between dielectric layers, and an external electrode in which a plating layer of Ni or Sn is coated on the surface of a metal such as Cu, Ni, Ag, Pt, or Au, and contains metal.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container (1) is a box with a roughly rectangular shape. The container (1) includes a rectangular bottom plate (10) that is flat, side wall portions (20) that extend from the four edges of the bottom plate (10) and surround the bottom plate (10), an opening (21) that opens upward, and an RFID tag (30) provided on the bottom plate (10).

[0014] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 1, the opening (21) of the container (1) may be closed by a removable lid (22) for the container (1) to seal the electronic component (M) inside the container (1).

[0015] The side wall portion (20) includes a pair of first side wall portions (20a) that extend in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) of the container (1) and face each other in the width direction (paper surface front-back direction in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), and a pair of second side wall portions (20b) that extend in the width direction of the container (1) and face each other in the longitudinal direction. In FIG. 1, only one first side wall portion (20a) is shown. The second side wall portion (20b) is inclined so as to be slightly inclined outward toward the container (1) from its bottom to its top. The first side wall portion (20a) is inclined in the same way as the second side wall portion (20b) or is perpendicular to the bottom plate portion (10). The first side wall (20a) and the second side wall (20b) have arbitrary shapes, including whether or not they are sloped, and are not limited to the embodiments. For example, the dimensions of the container (1) are approximately 200 to 400 mm in length, 100 to 300 mm in width, and 50 to 150 mm in height.

[0016] The bottom plate (10) supports a plurality of electronic components (M) accommodated in a container (1). The bottom plate (10) includes an inner flat surface (11) that the electronic components (M) can contact, and an outer back surface (12) facing the mounting surface (51).

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the back surface (12) of the bottom plate (10) has a rectangular edge portion (13) on its outermost perimeter and a grid-shaped rib (14) on the inside of the edge portion (13). Both the edge portion (13) and the rib (14) are protrusions that protrude toward the back surface (12). The rigidity of the bottom plate (10) is improved by the edge portion (13) and the rib (14). The rib (14) includes a plurality of first ribs (14a) extending in the longitudinal direction and a plurality of second ribs (14b) extending in the width direction perpendicular to the first rib (14a). In the central part of the back surface (12) of the bottom plate (10), no rib (14) is formed, and a receiving space (15) consisting of a circular concave area is formed in the central part. Around this receiving space (15), a rectangular convex portion (16) is formed as a spacer. That is, the receiving space (15) is formed in the center of the convex portion (16). When the container (1) is placed on the mounting surface (51) of the table (50), the edge portion (13), the rib (14), and the back surface (12) of the convex portion (16) come into contact with the mounting surface (51). The back surface of the convex portion (16) is a contact surface (16a) that comes into contact with the mounting surface (51).

[0018] An RFID tag (30) is placed on the back side (12) of the bottom plate (10) while being received in the receiving space (15). Various information is input and received in the RFID tag (30). As shown in FIG. 1, various information received in the RFID tag (30) is read by an RFID reader (60). The RFID reader (60) includes an antenna unit (61) placed on the mounting surface (51) of the table (50) and a control unit (62) connected to the antenna unit (61). The information read by the RFID reader (60) is transmitted wirelessly to a management unit (65). The management unit (65) performs processing of the received information.

[0019] The information contained in the RFID tag (30) is arbitrary, but may include, for example, electronic component information regarding the electronic component (M) or a unique ID related to the electronic component (M). Examples of electronic component information include the lot number of the electronic component (M), information on the product or type of the electronic component (M), and the inspection number of the electronic component (M). Additionally, information regarding the container (1) may be contained in the RFID tag (30). Examples of information regarding the container (1) include the quantity of electronic components (M) contained in the container (1) and the ID number of the container (1).

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the RFID tag (30) includes a memory unit (31) for receiving various information and an antenna unit (32) for performing communication. The RFID tag (30) of the embodiment is a passive type that does not have a power source and converts radio waves (signals) received from the antenna unit (61) of the RFID reader (60) into power, but the configuration of the RFID tag (30) is not limited thereto. The RFID tag (30) of the embodiment has a shape that is thin and long, and is attached to the upper surface of the receiving space (15), for example, through an adhesive. Meanwhile, the RFID tag (30) may be fixed with a cover that covers the RFID tag (30). The adhesive may be placed on one side of the RFID tag (30) in advance so that the RFID tag (30) is an adhesive seal, or it may be applied to one side of the RFID tag (30) at the time of attachment. Meanwhile, the shape of the RFID tag (30) is not limited to this and may be circular, square, triangular, etc.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, the bottom plate (10) has a separation portion (17) positioned between the RFID tag (30) and the surface (11). The separation portion (17) is positioned at a height distance of X1 between the RFID tag (30) and the surface (11). The separation portion (17) is the thickness portion of the bottom plate (10) above the portion where the RFID tag (30) is positioned in the bottom plate (10), i.e., the receiving space (15), and the thickness of the separation portion (17) is X1. The thickness (X1) of the separation portion (17) is the same as the thickness of the bottom plate (10). In FIG. 4, the separation portion (17), which is part of the bottom plate (10), is specifically indicated by cross-hatching. Meanwhile, FIG. 5 is likewise.

[0022] The receiving space (15) in which the RFID tag (30) is placed is positioned between the separation portion (17) of the bottom plate portion (10) and the mounting surface (51), and a gap (18) is created between the RFID tag (30) and the mounting surface (51) such that the height distance is X2. The distance (X2) is the height distance between the contact surface (16a), which is the back surface of the convex portion (16) that contacts the mounting surface (51), and the RFID tag (30). The convex portion (16) forms the receiving space (15) between the separation portion (17) and the mounting surface (51). In the embodiment, the thickness (X1) of the separation portion (17) is longer than the distance (X2). By making the thickness (X1) longer than the distance (X2), it becomes possible to minimize interference with electromagnetic induction caused by the influence of the metal.

[0023] The RFID tag (30) uses a communication band in the UHF band, LF band, or HF band, which uses an electromagnetic induction method. Meanwhile, the RFID tag (30) of the embodiment preferably uses the HF band, which performs communication using a radio wave method. Because it is in the HF band, the RFID tag (30) of the desired container (1) can be read without reacting to other containers adjacent to the container (1). The thickness (X1) of the separation part (17) has a distance such that even if an electronic component (M) containing metal is in contact with and accommodated on the surface (11) of the separation part (17), the interference of electromagnetic induction due to the influence of the metal is suppressed, and communication to the RFID tag (30) becomes sufficiently possible. The thickness (X1) is set according to the characteristics of the antenna part (61) of the RFID reader (60), for example, if it is between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, it is preferably read without being affected by the metal, but if it is between 3 mm and 10 mm, reading becomes more stable. Also, if it exceeds 10 mm, the volume of the container (1) becomes narrow, so it is not desirable.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows a modified example of the separation part (17). This separation part (17) is formed to be thicker than the thickness of other parts of the bottom plate (10) by increasing the thickness on the surface (11) side of the bottom plate (10). Accordingly, the thickness of the separation part (17), that is, the thickness (X1) in the height direction between the RFID tag (30) and the surface (11), is longer than that of FIG. 4. For example, in cases where the thickness of the bottom plate (10) is thin overall, the thickness is increased by the amount of the separation part (17) so that the interference of electromagnetic induction due to the influence of metal is suppressed, thereby securing a distance that enables communication with the RFID tag (30).

[0025] The container (1) of the embodiment can be transported by an unmanned transport vehicle, and the product can be manufactured while managing the electronic components (M) or the container (1). A specific example thereof is briefly shown below.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a conceptual plan view of a manufacturing system that manufactures a product from an electronic component (M) by transporting a container (1). Here, the process of forming external electrodes on a plurality of multilayer laminates is described as an electronic component (M) that accommodates a chip-shaped multilayer laminate in a container (1), which is a multilayer ceramic capacitor just before the external electrodes are formed, that is, an internal electrode layer mainly composed of a metal such as Ni or Cu sandwiched between dielectric layers.

[0027] The manufacturing system shown in FIG. 6 includes a guide line (73) installed between an automated warehouse (71) and a manufacturing facility (72), and a plurality of unmanned transport vehicles (70) that are guided and travel along the guide line (73). The guide line (73) is constructed, for example, by attaching a driving magnetic tape to the floor surface. The guide line (73) passes through the automated warehouse (71) and the manufacturing facility (72).

[0028] In the automatic warehouse (71), multiple containers (1) containing multiple electronic components (M) (the multilayer laminate) are stored. The automatic warehouse (71) includes a robot (not shown) that sets up or returns containers (1) one by one from a storage location within the automatic warehouse (71) to a storage location along a guide line (73). The manufacturing facility (72) has a manufacturing unit (72a) that extracts multiple electronic components (M) from the containers (1) and forms external electrodes on each electronic component (M). A table (50) (referenced as 50A) containing an antenna unit (61) of the RFID reader (60) shown in FIG. 1 is placed at the entrance of the automatic warehouse (71) and the manufacturing unit (72a). The operation of the manufacturing system is carried out by a command from the management unit (65). Meanwhile, the reading of the RFID tag (30) is not limited to the table (50) containing the antenna unit (61) and may be read by other means.

[0029] For example, multiple electronic components (M) that need to form external electrodes are divided into three lots A, B, and C, and each lot is received in three containers (1A), containers (1B), and containers (1C) and placed in a designated receiving location within the automatic warehouse (71). Here, the management unit (65) sends a command to the unmanned transport vehicle (70) and the automatic warehouse (71) to transport these three containers (1A), containers (1B), and containers (1C) to the manufacturing facility (72). The automatic warehouse (71) determines whether the containers (1A), containers (1B), and containers (1C) are stored in the automatic warehouse (71). If storage is confirmed, the management unit (65) sends a command to three unmanned transport vehicles (70) stopped near the automatic warehouse (71) to go retrieve the containers (1A), containers (1B), and containers (1C).

[0030] Three unmanned transport vehicles (70) enter the automated warehouse (71) and go to retrieve three containers (1A), containers (1B), and containers (1C). Each of the containers (1A), containers (1B), and containers (1C) is loaded onto one unmanned transport vehicle (70) and transported to the manufacturing facility (72). Meanwhile, one unmanned transport vehicle (70) may transport the containers (1A), containers (1B), and containers (1C) to the manufacturing facility (72) by traveling back and forth between the automated warehouse (71) and the manufacturing facility (72). The containers (1A), containers (1B), and containers (1C) are sequentially placed on a table (50a) placed at the entrance of the manufacturing unit (72a), and the RFID tag (30) of the container (1) is read by an RFID reader (60), and the read information is received by the management unit (65).

[0031] The management unit (65) determines that containers (1A), containers (1B), and containers (1C) have been returned to the manufacturing facility (72) based on information of containers (1) read from, for example, RFID tags (30), and sends a command to the manufacturing unit (72a) to form external electrodes on electronic components (M) under predetermined conditions based on information of lots distinguished by containers (1A), containers (1B), and containers (1C).

[0032] In the manufacturing unit (72a), electronic components (M) are extracted from containers (1A), (1B), and (1C), and external electrodes are formed on the electronic components (M) according to the instructions of the management unit (65). The electronic components (M) with the external electrodes formed are returned to containers (1A), (1B), and (1C) for each lot. Containers (1A), (1B), and (1C) containing a predetermined quantity of electronic components (M) are sequentially placed on a table (50 (50B)) at the exit of the manufacturing unit (72a). The RFID tags (30) of containers (1A), (1B), and (1C) placed on the table (50B) are read by an RFID reader (60) and loaded onto an unmanned transport vehicle (70). Based on the information from the read RFID tag (30), the unmanned transport vehicle (70) is returned to the next process location or to the automated warehouse (71).

[0033] According to the container (1) according to the embodiment described above, the following effects are achieved.

[0034] A container (1) according to an embodiment is an insulating container (1) that accommodates an electronic component (M) as a receiving material and is mounted on a predetermined mounting surface (51), and includes a surface (11) that the electronic component (M) can contact and a back surface (12) facing the mounting surface (51), a bottom plate portion (10) that supports the electronic component (M), and an RFID tag (30) disposed on the back surface (12) side of the bottom plate portion (10), and the bottom plate portion (10) has a contact surface (16a) that contacts the mounting surface (51) and a separation portion (17) disposed between the RFID tag (30) and the surface (11) with a thickness (X1) of 0.5 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

[0035] Thus, even if the electronic component (M) includes metal, the presence of the separation part (17) makes it difficult for the communication wave transmitted from the antenna part (61) of the RFID reader (60) to interfere with the reflected wave reflected from the metal. As a result, stable communication can be performed with respect to the RFID tag (30). Therefore, as the embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the electronic component include metal.

[0036] In the container (1) according to the embodiment, the thickness (X1) is preferably 3 mm or more and within 10 mm, and also 5 mm or more, or 3 mm or more. In the container (1) according to the embodiment, it is preferable that the thickness (X1) is longer than the height distance (X2) between the RFID tag (30) and the contact surface (16a).

[0037] Thus, the distance between the antenna part (61) of the RFID reader (60) and the RFID tag (30) is maintained at a communication distance, and interference with metal is suppressed, allowing for stable communication.

[0038] The thickness (X1) of the separation portion (17) in the container (1) according to the embodiment may be the same as the thickness of the bottom plate portion (10).

[0039] Thus, the thickness of the bottom plate (10) can be made uniform while the separation part (17) can be provided, and the separation part (17) can be easily provided and the configuration can be simplified.

[0040] In the container (1) according to the embodiment, the thickness (X1) of the separation part (17) may be longer than the thickness of the bottom plate part (10).

[0041] Thus, the effect of communication stability for the RFID tag (30) by the separation part (17) can be accurately obtained.

[0042] In the container (1) according to the embodiment, the bottom plate portion (10) additionally has a convex portion (16) as a spacer portion that forms a receiving space (15) between the separation portion (17) and the mounting surface (51), and it is preferable that an RFID tag (30) is received in the receiving space (15).

[0043] Thus, since a situation such as the RFID tag (30) coming into direct contact with the surface (51) does not occur, damage to the RFID tag (30) is prevented in advance, and stable communication can be performed.

[0044] In the container (1) according to the embodiment, it is preferable that the RFID tag (30) accommodates electronic component information regarding the electronic component (M) or a unique ID associated with the electronic component (M).

[0045] Thus, by reading the information contained in the RFID tag, information such as various information about the electronic component (M) contained in the container (1) or what electronic component (M) the container (1) contains can be obtained, and the manufacturing management of the electronic component (M) can be accurately performed.

[0046] Although embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and modifications, improvements, etc. within the scope of achieving the objectives of the present invention are included in the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0047] 1: Container 10: Bottom plate 11: Surface 12: Back side 15: Receiving space 16: Convex part (spacer) 16a: Contact surface 17: Separator 30: RFID tag 51: Mounting surface M: Electronic components (containers)

Claims

Claim 1 An insulating container that accommodates an electronic component containing metal and is mounted on a predetermined mounting surface, comprising a bottom plate portion that supports the accommodating component, the bottom plate portion having a surface that the accommodating component may contact and a rear surface facing the mounting surface, and an RFID tag disposed on the rear side of the bottom plate portion, wherein the bottom plate portion has a contact surface that contacts the mounting surface and a separation portion disposed between the RFID tag and the surface, the thickness (X1) being 0.5 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and the thickness (X1) being longer than the height distance (X2) between the RFID tag and the contact surface. Claim 2 A container according to claim 1, wherein the thickness (X1) is 3 mm or more and 10 mm or less. Claim 3 A container according to claim 1, wherein the thickness (X1) is longer than the height distance (X2) between the RFID tag and the contact surface. Claim 4 A container according to claim 1, wherein the thickness (X1) is 5 mm or more and within 10 mm. Claim 5 delete Claim 6 In claim 1, the container, wherein the thickness (X1) is the same as the thickness of the bottom plate portion. Claim 7 In claim 1, the container, wherein the thickness (X1) is longer than the thickness of the bottom plate portion. Claim 8 A container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 6 and 7, wherein the bottom plate portion further has a spacer portion forming a receiving space between the separating portion and the mounting surface, and the RFID tag is received in the receiving space. Claim 9 delete Claim 10 In claim 1, the RFID tag is a container that accommodates electronic component information regarding the electronic component or a unique ID associated with the electronic component.

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