Antenna Sheet Laser Welding for Contact Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antenna sheet connection methods, such as crimping and through-hole conductivity, suffer from weak bonding strength, unreliable electrical connections, and manufacturing inefficiencies due to mechanical pressure and oxidation risks, as well as complexity in achieving stable contact resistance and resistance to thermal expansion differences.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a pressing step where an antenna coil and connection pattern on a thermoplastic resin substrate are pressed and welded using a heated pressing unit, followed by laser welding to securely connect the antenna coil and conductive member, ensuring stable and reliable electrical connections without mechanical contact, thereby improving manufacturability and reducing oxidation risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If connection by crimping is used to connect antenna and bridge pattern, then manufacturing process is simple, but bonding strength is weak and electrical connection reliability is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection process simplicityVSAvoidelectrical connection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical crimping connection system with a welding system. The welding unit welds the antenna and bridge pattern to each other, substituting mechanical pressure-based connection with thermal fusion-based connection. This resolves the contradiction by providing strong bonding strength through welding while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through automated welding processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the connection parameter from mechanical pressure (crimping) to thermal energy (welding). By using a welding unit that applies heat and fusion to join the antenna and bridge pattern, the connection strength and electrical reliability are significantly improved while the process remains manufacturable through controlled welding parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If heat treating is done after crimping connection, then material properties are improved, but warping occurs due to thermal expansion difference causing open wires

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial property stabilityVSAvoidwire connection continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the welding connection between antenna and bridge pattern before heat treating the substrate. By establishing the electrical connection in advance through welding, subsequent heat treating processes can be performed without causing warping-induced open wires, as the welded joints are more resistant to thermal expansion stresses than crimped connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical crimping with welding to create a more robust connection that can withstand subsequent heat treating processes. The welded joint provides stronger mechanical and electrical integrity compared to crimping, preventing open wires during thermal processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If through hole plating or filling is used to achieve conductivity, then electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing process becomes complicated and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the through-hole plating or filling step from the manufacturing process. By using surface-level welding to connect the antenna and bridge pattern, the need for through-holes is removed entirely, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining electrical conductivity through the welded joint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the through-hole conduction method with surface welding. Instead of creating holes through the substrate and plating/filling them, the welding unit directly joins the antenna and bridge pattern on the surface, achieving electrical conductivity without the complex through-hole processing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of manufacture

If crimping connection is used, then manufacturing is simple, but oxidation or corrosion of contact surfaces occurs reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection process simplicityVSAvoidoxidation and corrosion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical crimping with welding to eliminate exposure of contact surfaces to oxidation and corrosion. The welding process fuses the antenna and bridge pattern together, creating a unified structure without separate contact surfaces that would be susceptible to environmental degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the antenna and bridge pattern into a unified structure through welding. By fusing these components together, the separate contact surfaces that would otherwise be exposed to oxidation and corrosion are eliminated, creating a single integrated structure with improved durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method enhances the reliability and stability of antenna sheet connections by reducing electrical resistance and preventing open wires, while improving manufacturing efficiency and preventing oxidation, resulting in a high-reliability antenna sheet for data carriers with non-contact ICs.

Implementation Method 1

a pressing step in which an overlapped portion of an antenna coil and/or a connection pattern formed from a metal material and provided on one surface of a substrate formed from a thermoplastic resin, and a conductive member formed from a metal material and provided on the other surface of the substrate is pressed using a pressing unit at least from the surface of one side of the substrate; and a welding steps in which the overlapped portion of the antenna coil and/or the connection pattern and the conductive member is welded

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

the pressing unit that is heated to at least the softening temperature of the material that forms the substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal softening:

Implementation Method 3

the welding steps, a laser beam may strike a part pressed by the pressing unit to weld the antenna coil and/or the connection pattern to the conductive member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser welding: Laser Beam Welding

Implementation Method 4

the antenna of an antenna sheet, in addition to functioning as an antenna for data communication, functions as a coil to generate electrical power by electromagnetic induction for driving the integrated circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2889811B1Antenna sheet, data carrier with non-contact IC, and method for manufacturing antenna sheet
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 TOPPAN HOLDINGS INC
  • EP2889811B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2889811B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2889811B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A method for manufacturing an antenna sheet which comprises: a pressing step in which an overlapped portion of an antenna coil and/or a connection pattern formed from a first metal material and provided on one surface of a substrate formed from a thermoplastic resin, and a conductive member formed from a second metal material and provided on the other surface of the substrate is pressed; and a welding step in which a welded part is formed at the overlapped portion where the at least one of the antenna coil and the connection pattern, and the conductive member are in contact with each other, the conductive member and one end of the at least one of the antenna coil and the connection pattern are welded in the welded part, wherein the welding step is performed using a laser.