Method for marking an object with a radio tag, and object marked with a radio tag

Abstract

The invention relates to an object marked with a radio tag, having a portion (10) in which an undercut groove (12) which is continuous in a longitudinal direction, is open on three sides and has two side walls which are inclined with respect to one another and a base is formed, wherein the base of the groove (12) has at least two gradients which run in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the groove (12) is filled with the radio tag by means of a potting body.

Description

[0001] METHOD FOR MARKING AN OBJECT WITH A RADIO LABEL AND OBJECT MARKED WITH A RADIO LABEL

[0002] TECHNICAL AREA OF INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to a method for marking an object, in particular a metallic object such as a tool, implant, component, piece of jewelry, medical instrument, etc., with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The invention also relates to an object marked with an RFID tag, in particular a metallic object such as a tool, implant, component, piece of jewelry, medical instrument, etc.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] For a variety of reasons, it can be desirable to mark objects of the aforementioned type and much more. For example, in the medical field, due to the significantly increased documentation requirements for surgeries, it is extremely important to be able to precisely document which medical instruments were used in a particular operation. RFID technology offers great potential in this area for the automatic tracking of instruments, implants, and other medical devices used, provided they are marked with RFID tags, which are generally and non-limitedly referred to here as radio frequency identification tags and come in a wide variety of designs. In particular, RFID technology allows, for example...the systems and procedures presented by the applicant automatically capture a whole range of information about the course of the operation and, in particular, ensure that, which happens surprisingly often, no instruments are unintentionally left in the patient.

[0006] There are two major problems with marking objects with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags: firstly, the permanent attachment of an RFID tag to the object to be marked, especially if it is an object such as a medical instrument that is subject to high material stresses, e.g., during cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization; and secondly, ensuring good readability of the RFID tag, especially if it is a metallic object that inherently shields the electromagnetic waves used to read the RFID tag.

[0007] Several proposals have been made for attaching a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag to an object such as a medical instrument. For example, WO 2009 / 063503 A2 and WO 2010 / 145651 A2 each propose encasing the RFID tag in a so-called "plug" (a type of plastic cap) that provides excellent protection against environmental influences. The plug is then pressed into a receiving bore, where it is held primarily by friction. This places the plug under considerable tension, which, combined with the high temperatures encountered during processes such as autoclaving, leads to significant material stress and increased wear.

[0008] WO 2011 / 054355 A2 discloses a method for affixing a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag to an object to be marked, such as a medical instrument, in which the RFID tag is advantageously coated with a protective layer on the object to be marked. This protective layer serves a dual function: firstly, it adheres the RFID tag to the object, and secondly, it protects the RFID tag from environmental influences and simultaneously forms a dirt-free transition to the object. Since the RFID tag is affixed, it protrudes from the surface to which it is affixed, which, however, may be undesirable in certain applications and can also impair the aesthetic appearance. WO 2015 / 086775 A1 discloses a very similar method in which an RFID tag is also affixed. In both methods, the RFID tags are held solely by the adhesive effect of the protective layer.

[0009] From US patent 7,837,694 B2, it is known, among other things, to create a recess in an edge of a metallic object to be marked, resulting in a stepped recess open on two essentially orthogonal sides, into which a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag can be inserted and potted. It should be noted at this point that "potting" here generally refers to filling the spaces between the object to be marked and the RFID tag with a curable potting compound, whereby the potting compound can cure on its own or the curing process can be initiated, for example, by irradiation with light of specific wavelengths.

[0010] Furthermore, it should be noted that "open on one, two, or more sides" here means that the so-called recess, cutout, groove, etc., in the object is accessible from one, two, or three sides of the object. Particularly in the case of round objects, the term "side" refers to directions: if the object is in front of an observer (or an antenna for reading radio frequency identification tags), one side would be, for example, the side facing the observer, two sides the side directly opposite the observer in their line of sight, and a third side a side viewed from a direction orthogonal to the current line of sight. If the object were a standard dice where the six numbers on opposite sides add up to seven, the first side would be, for example, the side with the number one, the second side the side with the number two, and the third side the side with the number six.

[0011] The recess known from US 7,837,694 B2, which is open to two sides that are essentially orthogonal to each other, does increase the readability of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag inserted into the recess, but its permanent attachment remains problematic, especially if the object to be marked and the potting compound have different coefficients of thermal expansion.

[0012] To at least partially solve this problem, US 7,722,531 B1 proposes creating a recess open on one or both sides with a relatively complex shape in the object to be marked, in order to permanently anchor potting compound in this recess. However, the proposed recess shapes are complex, making them difficult to implement in an object to be marked, such as a medical instrument. Another approach to solving these problems is presented in WO 2020 / 125865 A1, which shows the creation of various projections and / or recesses in the side walls of the undercut groove. Similar approaches are known from WO 2019 / 020693 A1 and JP 2007208294 A.However, it has been shown that, in metallic instruments, the creation of the protrusions and / or recesses, which typically occurs after the undercut groove has been formed, is mechanically complex and requires a separate work step. Furthermore, it has been shown that with certain protrusions and / or recesses, the resulting positive locking mechanism is not always sufficient to retain the casting element formed in the groove when longitudinal forces occur.

[0013] From JP 2019-185494 A, an approach to solving the aforementioned problems is known, in which the base is provided with a multitude of randomly shaped small openings using a complex laser processing method. However, it has been shown that certain rather viscous potting compounds, which are particularly suitable for marking medical instruments and which can permanently withstand the high stresses that occur, for example, during car washes, do not penetrate the openings, and the potting compound formed after hardening is not sufficiently anchored in the object to be marked.

[0014] REVELATION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The invention aims to provide an improved method for marking an object with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. This method should, on the one hand, allow the RFID tag to be attached to the object with minimal tension, ensuring that the RFID tag is easily readable, reliably protected from falling off, and shielded from environmental influences. On the other hand, it should also be efficient and require minimal manufacturing effort. The invention also aims to provide an object marked with an RFID tag, in which the tag is attached to the object in the aforementioned manner. A particular aspect of the invention is to enable the RFID tag to be attached flush with the object, i.e., without protruding from the actual object surface and thus without impairing the aesthetic appearance of the marked object.

[0016] The problem is solved by a method having the features of claims 1 or 7 or by an object having the features of claims 11 or 19. The respective dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments and further developments.

[0017] In a first method according to the invention, a longitudinally extending, undercut groove open on three sides, with two mutually inclined side walls and a bottom, is first formed in a section of the object to be marked, such that the bottom of the groove has at least two slopes running in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction. The radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is then inserted into the groove, and the groove is filled with a curable potting compound. After the potting compound has cured, a firmly anchored potting element containing the RFID tag forms in the groove, which is easily readable, and the effort required to form the groove is minimal. The groove designed according to the invention can be formed in a single operation using a suitable tool. The longitudinal direction is the direction of two opposite sides of the three sides towards which the groove is open.If the groove were incorporated into the above-mentioned standard dice in the manner according to the invention and open towards the sides with the numbers one, two and six, the longitudinal direction would be the direction between the sides with the numbers one and six, whereby, as is evident to the person skilled in the art, it is unimportant whether the direction is seen as running from the side with the number one to the side with the number six or vice versa.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the two opposing slopes are formed by at least two parallel, longitudinally offset wave-like tracks. This design advantageously allows the potting compound to flow along the wave-like tracks and to completely fill the groove. In a further preferred embodiment of the method, the opposing slopes are designed such that a force applied to the potting element in the longitudinal direction causes it to press against the mutually inclined side walls. It has been found that in certain automated processes, for example, the cleaning of medical instruments, very high forces are sometimes exerted on the potting element in the longitudinal direction of the groove.The design results in forces that have components both in the longitudinal direction of the groove and perpendicular to it, with the perpendicular components of the forces then pressing the casting body against the mutually inclined side walls of the groove and accordingly anchoring the casting body more firmly between the side walls and the bottom of the groove.

[0019] The aforementioned method can advantageously be carried out by adhering the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag to the groove as it is inserted. This can be done with one or a few drops of the potting compound or a separate adhesive. Adhering the tag allows for further automation of certain process steps, as it is then temporarily fixed in the groove and does not need to be potted immediately.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is placed inside a housing before being inserted into the groove, and then inserted into the groove within the housing. This approach offers several advantages. For example, the housing facilitates the handling of the typically very small RFID tags, such as enabling machine gripping and insertion into the groove. Furthermore, the housing reduces the volume of potting compound required for filling the groove, thus simplifying and accelerating the filling process. Generally speaking, the less potting compound is used in an opening, the lower the likelihood of unwanted bubble formation.

[0021] If a casing is used, it is advantageous to insert the casing with the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag into the groove in such a way that the RFID tag is located in a section of the casing facing the bottom of the groove. It has been shown that reading the RFID tag is facilitated when it is located near the bottom of the groove.

[0022] In a second method according to the invention for marking an object with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a through-hole with a through-diameter and two opposing openings is formed in a section of the object to be marked, and at least one of the first of the two openings is countersunk to widen the first opening conically relative to the through-diameter. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that this countersinking, i.e., the conical widening of a hole, can also be carried out before the actual through-hole is drilled or in a single operation together with the drilling, provided the tool is designed accordingly. It is also clear that the through-hole need not be drilled in the conventional sense, but can also be drilled in another manner suitable for the respective object, e.g., by laser cutting or punching.A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is then at least partially positioned in the through-hole, and the RFID tag, the through-hole including its openings and any conical widening, is encased in a curable potting compound, forming a protective layer over the RFID tag. The potting compound is then cured to form a potted body.

[0023] In one embodiment of the second method, both openings are lowered to form a cone-shaped widening.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the second method, the radio frequency identification tag is arranged in or above the second of the two openings such that, viewed in the direction of the through-hole, at least a section of the radio frequency identification tag projects beyond the through-hole diameter.

[0025] In a further embodiment of the second method, the protective layer is formed in a spherical segment shape over the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. This second method also solves the aforementioned problem and is particularly advantageous when the object, due to its shape and / or material properties, does not permit the creation of the groove open on three sides. The method may include a step of flattening any hardened potting compound protruding from the first opening.

[0026] According to a further aspect, the invention also relates to an object marked with a radio frequency identification tag, which has a section in which a longitudinally extending, undercut groove open on three sides is formed with two mutually inclined side walls and a bottom, wherein the bottom of the groove has at least two slopes running in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction and wherein the groove is filled with a potting compound containing the radio frequency identification tag.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, at least two opposing slopes are formed by at least two longitudinally offset wave tracks running side by side, which has the advantages already mentioned above.

[0028] In a currently particularly preferred embodiment, the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is inserted into the groove within a housing. Such a housing can, for example, be an injection-molded part with a recess specifically designed to receive the respective RFID tags used, wherein the recess can advantageously be provided with projections that retain an RFID tag inserted into the recess, so that it does not need to be further bonded there.

[0029] In another preferred embodiment, the casing is provided with an alignment mark that indicates a preferred direction for inserting the casing into the groove. Such a mark can be easily recognized not only by a person but also by a machine and not only helps to ensure the desired orientation of the radio frequency identification tag in the groove but also to further automate the manufacturing process. After the potting compound has cured, it forms a positive-locking connection with the object, not merely one based on friction or adhesion. With the potting compounds typically used, the connection is practically stress-free at room temperature and can therefore better compensate for stresses such as those that can occur during autoclaving due to differing coefficients of thermal expansion between the potting compound and the object than if it were constantly under tension.Furthermore, it has been shown that the presented method of attachment can be carried out very cost-effectively and that, in certain designs, only a single tool is sufficient to form an undercut groove and create at least one projection or recess in the longitudinal direction of the groove.

[0030] According to a further aspect, the invention also relates to an object marked with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, which has a section in which a through-hole with a through-diameter and two opposing openings is provided, wherein at least one of the two openings is conically widened relative to the through-diameter, an RFID tag is arranged at least partially in the through-hole, and the RFID tag and the through-hole including its openings and each conical widening are encased with a hardened potting compound that forms a protective layer over the RFID tag.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the object, both openings are conically widened compared to the passage diameter.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the object, the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is arranged in or above the second of the two openings such that, viewed in the direction of the through-hole, at least a section of the RFID tag extends beyond the through-hole diameter.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment of the object, the protective layer is formed in a spherical segment shape over the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following purely exemplary and non-limiting description of embodiments in conjunction with the drawing comprising 15 figures.

[0034] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a section of an object, here a pair of scissors, with a groove designed according to the invention for inserting a radio frequency identification tag.

[0036] Fig. 2 shows the section according to Fig. 1, seen in the direction of arrow II in Fig. 1 from below onto the section of the object.

[0037] Fig. 3 shows a section along the line Ill-Ill according to Fig. 1.

[0038] Fig. 4 shows a section along line IV-IV according to Fig. 1.

[0039] Fig. 5 shows the section marked by circle V in Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale.

[0040] Fig. 6 shows the section marked by circle VI in Fig. 3 on an enlarged scale.

[0041] Fig. 7 shows the section marked by circle VII in Fig. 4 on an enlarged scale.

[0042] Fig. 8 shows the section marked by circle VIII in Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale.

[0043] Fig. 9 shows a section of an object to be marked in a top view similar to Fig. 8, looking at a first side of the section. Fig. 10 shows a top view of the side opposite the first side of the section according to Fig. 9.

[0044] Fig. 11 shows a schematic representation of a cladding body according to the invention.

[0045] Fig. 12 shows, similarly to Fig. 8, a side view of a section of an object with a groove designed according to the invention in a further embodiment.

[0046] Fig. 13 shows a top view of a section of an object marked according to another aspect of the invention.

[0047] Fig. 14 shows a section along line XIV-XIV according to Fig. 13.

[0048] Fig. 15 shows the section of the object according to Fig. 14 without radio tag and without potting compound.

[0049] DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXECUTION FORMS

[0050] In the drawings, identical reference numerals denote parts with equivalent functions, and it has been omitted to mention all reference numerals separately for each figure. A list of reference numerals, from which the meaning of the reference numerals can be derived, is given at the end of this description.

[0051] Figures 1 to 8 show different parts of a section 10 of an object to be marked, in which an undercut groove 12 is formed. The object is, for example, a surgical scissor, and the section is a handle section of the scissors with a shank 14 and eye 16. The objects to be marked are typically made of metal, in particular stainless steel. The groove 12 is open on three sides: in Figure 1, on the side of the section 10 facing the viewer, on the opposite side (facing away from the viewer), and downwards. As can be clearly seen in Figure 8, the groove is bounded by two mutually inclined side walls 18 and 20 and a bottom 22.In other words, the undercut groove 12, which extends in a longitudinal direction and is open on three sides, is open towards a first side of the section 10 of the object and is undercut in the top view towards this side, wherein the groove extends in this top view in a direction orthogonal to the viewing direction and is open at both its ends.

[0052] At the time shown in Figures 1 to 8, no radio frequency identification (RFID) tag has yet been inserted into groove 12. This will be inserted into the groove as explained below, and the groove will then be completely filled with a curable potting compound. This potting compound can be a mixture of polymerizable acrylates or methacrylates, or a solid, partially polymerized mixture of polymerizable acrylates or methacrylates, as is known per se. Polymerization leads to the curing of the mixture. Preferably, the mixture is one whose polymerization can be initiated by irradiation with light, e.g., with an activation wavelength of 400–500 nm. For this purpose, the mixture can comprise a photoinitiator, which is selected, for example, from the group consisting of benzophenone, benzoin, an alpha-diketone, acylphospine oxide, camphorquinone and their derivatives, as well as mixtures of these photoinitiators.Alternatively, the mixture can also be designed so that hardening occurs through the application of pressure and / or temperature.

[0053] The monomer units of the mixture are preferably selected from the group consisting of monomers forming tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, butanediol dimethacrylate, hexanediol dimethacrylate, decanediol dimethacrylate, dodecanediol dimethacrylate, bisphenol A dimethacrylate, ethylene glycol diacrylate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, butanediol dimethacrylate,

[0054] Trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, tetraethylene glycol diacrylate, bisphenol-A diacrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate, hexanediol diacrylate, decanediol diacrylate, dodecanediol diacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, their derivatives and mixtures of these compounds, in particular BIS-GMA and TEDDMA, mixtures of these compounds or urethane dimethacrylate and / or tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate is formed.

[0055] The mixture can advantageously also comprise a preferably non-crystalline filler, which is selected in particular from quartz, crystal-free highly dispersed silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, ceramic, glass, silanized glass powder, glass ceramic, barium glass, and mixtures of these fillers. It is clear to those skilled in the art from the present disclosure that any other potting compounds are suitable, provided they possess the properties required for the respective application, in the case of medical instruments, in particular, resistance to cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization. Further particularly suitable potting compounds are known from WO 2007 090387 A2, but also from the aforementioned WO 2011 054355 A2, to which reference may be made as general technical knowledge.

[0056] After the potting compound has hardened, any areas of the hardened potting compound that may protrude from section 10 can be processed, e.g., ground down, in a manner known per se, so that the section returns to its original shape, i.e., appears as if no groove had been formed. For this purpose, the potting compound can be color-matched to the section of the object to be marked in which the groove is formed. However, it can also be a different color than the section and / or partially transparent, so that the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag remains visible. Specific colors can be deliberately used that allow the marked object, e.g., a medical instrument, to be assigned to a specific set of objects even without reading the RFID tag 14, thus enabling pre-sorting.

[0057] A special feature of the undercut groove 12 is that its bottom, designated 22 in Fig. 5, is formed with at least two opposing slopes in its longitudinal direction, indicated by the dashed double arrow 24 in Fig. 5. Advantageously, the groove 12 is cut into the object in a wave-like manner when viewed laterally and horizontally to the longitudinal axis 24, so that the two opposing slopes are formed by at least two parallel wave paths 26 and 28, offset in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the groove 12 is twisted and slopes downwards on one side (indicated by the purely exemplary +2° downwards to the left in Fig. 8 - see also Fig. 6) and downwards further forwards on the other side (indicated by the purely exemplary -2° upwards to the right in Fig. 8 - see also Fig. 7) in different axes. It can be advantageous for the soil to be roughened.Overall, the design of the base ensures that the potting block, which contains the radio tag and is produced after the hardening of a mixture introduced therein, is positively secured in all directions and, when forces occur in the longitudinal direction, is pressed against the mutually inclined side walls 18, 20, which reliably prevents the potting block from being pushed out of the groove.

[0058] Figures 9 and 10 show a section 10 of another object to be marked, once in a top view similar to Figure 8 of a first side of the section 10 of the object, and once in a top view of a side of the section 10 of the object opposite the first side, in which the groove formed according to the invention was filled with potting compound after the insertion of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and the potting compound was cured, so that the potting block 30 containing the RFID tag is formed. Depending on how the potting compound is inserted, the potting block 30 and, if necessary, the object can be ground after the potting compound has cured in order to form a completely flush surface between the object and the potting block 30.

[0059] Fig. 11 shows a housing body, designated 32 in its entirety, for receiving a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and for insertion, together with the RFID tag contained therein, into a groove formed as described above. The housing body 32 can, for example, be an injection-molded part.

[0060] The casing 32 has a cuboid-shaped recess 34, indicated by dashed lines, for a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in this embodiment. In the illustrated position, the recess 34 is open towards the base 36 of the casing 32. Advantageously, at least opposite edges 38 and 40 of the recess can be provided with projections that retain an RFID tag inserted into the recess 34, thus eliminating the need for further gluing.

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, the encapsulation body 32 is provided with an alignment mark 42 in the form of a wedge groove, which indicates a preferred direction for inserting the encapsulation body into a groove in an object to be marked. Such a mark 42 can be easily recognized not only by a person but also by a machine and contributes not only to ensuring the desired orientation of the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in the groove but also to further automating the manufacturing process. In general, the use of an encapsulation body 32 has several advantages; in particular, it facilitates the handling of the typically very small RFID tags and enables, for example, machine gripping and insertion of an RFID tag if it has previously been inserted into an encapsulation body 32.Furthermore, the casing means that less potting compound needs to be placed in the groove for pouring, corresponding to its volume, which makes the pouring process easier and faster.

[0062] Typically, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags have preferred radiation directions and should therefore be inserted into a groove in the object to be marked in a defined manner. The alignment mark 42 serves not only to indicate such a preferred direction, but also to show which side of the cladding body 32 should face away from or towards the bottom of the groove when it is inserted into the groove in the object to be marked.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, the casing 32, including the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, would be inserted into the groove such that the alignment mark 42 runs parallel to the longitudinal direction of the groove and the side of the casing with the alignment mark faces the bottom of the groove. In this embodiment, it would then be ensured that the RFID tag is located close to the bottom of the groove, which has a positive effect on the transmitting and receiving behavior of the RFID tag. The invention allows the RFID tags to be attached at a nearly identical distance from the bottom of similar objects to be marked, e.g., medical instruments, which promotes consistently reliable reading functionality without significant fluctuations in reading quality.

[0064] With the use of 32 mm encapsulation bodies, the insertion of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags can be automated using a standardized robotic process, enabling the rapid marking of even large quantities of objects. Generally, as mentioned above, the encapsulation body can be glued into the groove before the groove is filled with potting compound.

[0065] Fig. 12, similar to Fig. 8, shows a side view of a section of an object 10' with a groove 12' designed according to a further embodiment of the invention. It is clearly visible that the base 22' is corrugated. Nevertheless, it has at least two opposing slopes in the longitudinal direction. The groove 12' is bounded laterally by two mutually inclined side walls 18' and 20'. It is readily apparent that the transitions from the side walls 18', 20' to the base 22' are rounded, i.e., they do not form an acute angle. This advantageously facilitates the complete filling of the groove 12' with a suitable casting compound, which can thus easily penetrate the transition areas between the side walls 18', 20' and the base 22'. The groove 12 shown in Fig. 8 is also designed in this way.

[0066] Figures 13 to 15 show a section 50 of an object marked according to another aspect of the invention. Figures 13 and 14 show the section 50 in its fully marked state, i.e., including a radio frequency identification tag and cured potting compound, while Figure 15 shows the section 50 according to Figure 14 without the radio frequency identification tag and potting compound. To avoid cluttering the drawings, not all parts in each figure are labeled with reference numerals.

[0067] Section 50 includes a through bore 52 with a through diameter 54 indicated by the double arrow and two opposing openings 56, 58, wherein in this embodiment a first opening 56 of the two openings is widened conically relative to the through diameter by so-called countersinking (sometimes also called countersinking).

[0068] In the situation shown in Figures 13 and 14, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag 60 is partially positioned in the through-hole 52 in the region of the second opening 58 of the two openings such that, viewed in the direction of the through-hole 52, a section of the RFID tag 60 projects beyond the through-diameter 54 of the through-hole 52. The RFID tag 60 and the through-hole 52, including its openings 56, 58 and the conical widening 62 of the first opening 56, were encased in a potting compound shown transparently and without hatching in Figure 14. After hardening, this compound forms, together with the RFID tag 60, an extremely stable encased block and a protective layer in the form of a spherical segment 64 over the RFID tag 60 above the second opening 58.In other words, in the situation shown in Figures 13 and 14, the spherical segment 64, the through-bore 52, its openings 56 and 58 including the conical widening 62 are completely filled with potting compound, which completely encloses the radio tag 60.

[0069] Since the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, as can be clearly seen in Fig. 14, projects beyond the through-diameter 54 of the through-hole 52, it contributes to the secure retention of the potting block formed after the potting compound has hardened in the object to be marked. This is achieved by securing the potting block against being pushed out towards the widening 62. The spherical segment 64 also contributes to this effect, while the widening 62, or more precisely the hardened potting compound contained within it, secures the potting block against being pushed out towards the second opening 58. Depending on the design of the object and, in particular, its material thickness, it may be advantageous not to place the RFID tag 60 in the second opening 58, but rather to lay it transversely across it. In such a case, two sections of the RFID tag 60 would then project beyond the through-diameter of the through-hole 52.

[0070] Depending on how the potting compound is applied, the potting block and, if necessary, the object may be ground down after the potting compound has hardened in order to form a continuously flush surface of object and potting block on the side of the first opening 56.

[0071] Within the scope of the invention, numerous modifications and further developments are possible, relating, for example, to the precise shaping of the groove's base according to one aspect of the invention. A key aspect of this is that the groove's base is shaped such that, after the potting compound has hardened, a positive-locking connection is formed, securing the potting block in all spatial directions. The groove can be machined, in particular roughened, before the potting compound is applied. Using a suitable tool, this roughening can also be performed in a single operation along with the application of the compound. Roughening improves the durability of the adhesive bonds. Depending on the shape and size of the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, it can be positioned entirely or (as shown in the figures as an example) partially within the through-hole, according to another aspect of the invention.If a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag can be positioned entirely within the through-hole, both openings of the through-hole can be lowered, whereby the potting compound that has hardened in the respective conical widenings prevents the potting body, including the RFID tag, from being pushed out to the opposite side.

[0072] REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0073] 10, 10' section

[0074] 12, 12' Nut

[0075] 14 thighs

[0076] 16 Eye

[0077] 18, 18' side wall 20, 20' side wall 22, 22' floor

[0078] 24 Longitudinal direction 26 Wave path

[0079] 28 wave track casting block

[0080] Enclosing body

[0081] Exclusion

[0082] Floor

[0083] edge

[0084] Previous page

[0085] alignment marker

[0086] Section

[0087] through hole

[0088] Passage diameter

[0089] opening

[0090] opening

[0091] Radio frequency identification tag, cone-shaped widening

[0092] spherical segment

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Method for marking an object with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, comprising the steps: Forming a longitudinally continuous, undercut groove open on three sides with two mutually inclined side walls and a bottom in a section of the object to be marked, Inserting a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag into the groove, Potting the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in the groove with a hardenable potting compound and Curing of the casting compound to form a casting body in the groove, characterized in that the bottom of the groove is formed with at least two slopes running in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least two opposing gradients are formed by at least two wave tracks running side by side offset in the longitudinal direction.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the opposing slopes are designed such that a force applied to the casting body in the longitudinal direction causes the casting body to press against the mutually inclined side walls.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the radio frequency identification tag is glued into the groove when inserted into the groove.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the radio frequency identification tag is placed in a casing body before being inserted into the groove and is then inserted into the groove in the same.

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the casing is inserted into the groove such that the radio frequency identification tag is located in a section of the casing facing the bottom of the groove.

7. Method for marking an object with a radio frequency identification tag, comprising the steps: Forming a through-hole with a through-diameter and two opposing openings in a section of the object to be marked, Lowering at least one of the first two openings to widen the opening in a conical shape relative to the passage diameter, Arranging a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag at least partially in the through-hole, potting the RFID tag and the through-hole including its openings and any conical widening with a curable potting compound, forming a protective layer over the RFID tag and Curing of the potting compound to form a potted body.

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that both openings are lowered to form a conical widening.

9. Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the radio frequency identification tag is arranged in or above the second of the two openings such that, viewed in the direction of the through-hole, at least a section of the radio frequency identification tag projects beyond the through-hole diameter.

10. Method according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the protective layer is formed in a spherical segment shape over the radio frequency identification tag.

11. Object marked with a radio frequency identification tag, characterized in that it has a section in which a longitudinally continuous, undercut groove open on three sides with two mutually inclined side walls and a bottom is formed, wherein the bottom of the groove has at least two longitudinally opposing slopes and wherein the groove is filled with a potting compound containing the radio frequency identification tag.

12. Object according to claim 11, wherein the at least two opposing slopes are formed by at least two wave tracks running side by side offset in the longitudinal direction.

13. Object according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the opposing slopes are designed such that a force applied to the casting body in the longitudinal direction causes the casting body to press against the mutually inclined side walls.

14. Object according to one of claims 11 to 13, in that the radio frequency identification tag is inserted into the groove in a cladding body.

15. Object according to claim 14, characterized in that the radio frequency identification tag is arranged in a section of the casing facing the bottom of the groove.

16. Object according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the casing is an injection-molded part with a recess for the radio frequency identification tag, wherein the edge region of the recess is provided with projections that retain a radio frequency identification tag inserted into the recess in the recess.

17. Object according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the casing body is provided with an alignment marking which indicates a preferred direction when inserting the casing body into the groove.

18. Object according to one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the enclosing body is a body printed using a 3D printing process.

19. Object marked with a radio frequency identification tag, characterized in that it has a section in which a through-hole with a through-diameter and two opposing openings is provided, wherein at least one of the first of the two openings is conically widened relative to the through-diameter, a radio frequency identification tag is at least partially arranged in the through-hole, and the radio frequency identification tag and the through-hole, including its openings and any conical widening, are encased in a hardened potting compound that forms a protective layer over the radio frequency identification tag.

20. Object according to claim 19, wherein both openings are conically widened relative to the passage diameter.

21. Object according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are arranged in or above the second of the two openings such that, viewed in the direction of the through-hole, at least a section of the RFID tag projects beyond the through-hole diameter.

22. Object according to one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the protective layer is formed in a spherical segment shape above the RFID tag.

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