Flexible Conductive Shield for RFID Label Roll Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printers for RFID label paper rolls often erroneously write information on the outer periphery of the wound sheet due to electromagnetic interference, particularly with UHF radio communication, leading to incorrect data on the IC chips of the wound labels.
Innovation Solution
A printer design incorporating a flexible, electrically conductive member that extends over and contacts the outer periphery of the wound sheet, absorbing or altering the electromagnetic waves to prevent erroneous writing by changing the antenna characteristics, thereby isolating the RFID labels from the RFID reader/writer's signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shield plate is used to prevent erroneous writing on RFID labels, then erroneous writing is prevented, but the shield plate cannot completely block electromagnetic waves due to gaps, allowing waves to reach the wound sheet and cause erroneous writing
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible member made of electrically conductive material is introduced as an intermediary between the RFID reader/writer and the wound sheet of label paper. This flexible member absorbs or reflects electromagnetic waves, preventing them from reaching the antennas on the wound labels. The flexible member can be positioned to contact or approach the outer periphery of the wound sheet, creating an effective barrier without requiring complete shielding of the entire sheet holder space.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution changes the physical state and positioning parameters by using a flexible rather than rigid shielding structure. The flexible member can adapt its position to maintain effective shielding while accommodating the presence of the wound sheet. This flexibility allows the shielding parameter to be optimized dynamically rather than being fixed by a rigid structure.
2Reliability
If a shield plate is used to isolate RFID labels from electromagnetic waves, then erroneous writing is prevented, but the device complexity increases due to the need for shield plates and gap management
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible member serves as a simplified intermediary shielding element that can be easily positioned and adjusted. Unlike rigid shield plates that require precise gap management and complex mounting structures, the flexible member can be简单地 placed to contact or approach the wound sheet, reducing structural complexity while maintaining shielding effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a flexible member made of electrically conductive material that can conform to the shape of the wound sheet or be positioned in close proximity to it. This flexible shielding approach is simpler than rigid shield plates, as it requires no complex mounting structures or gap management, yet effectively blocks electromagnetic waves from reaching the labels.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the flexible member is positioned to cover the wound sheet, then electromagnetic waves are blocked, but the flexible member must be electrically conductive and flexible to maintain contact with the outer periphery
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible member can be manufactured as a thin conductive film or strip that is easy to fabricate and position. Such flexible conductive materials are commercially available and can be simply cut and attached to the appropriate location, making the manufacturing process straightforward despite the special electrical and mechanical properties required.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible member may be constructed as a composite material combining conductive elements (such as metal fibers or coating) with a flexible substrate. This composite structure provides both the electrical conductivity needed for electromagnetic wave blocking and the flexibility required to maintain contact with the wound sheet, while remaining easy to manufacture.
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
Effectively prevents erroneous writing on RFID labels at the outer periphery of the wound sheet by absorbing or altering electromagnetic waves, ensuring accurate data writing only on the labels being fed through the printer.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible member which extends over the antennas of the RFID labels of the held sheet of label paper, curves in contact with the outer periphery of the held sheet, and includes electrically conductive metal
Data Source
AI summary
A printer according to the present invention includes a sheet holder, a feed/print mechanism, an RFID reader/writer, and a flexible member including electrically conductive metal. The sheet holder holds a sheet of label paper wound into a roll. The sheet of label paper includes a mount and RFID labels stuck on the mount. Each of the labels includes an IC chip and an antenna connected to the chip. The feed/print mechanism for unwinds the held sheet of label paper, feeds the unwound sheet along the sheet path, and makes prints on the RFID labels of the sheet being fed. The RFID reader/writer writes information on the IC chips of the RFID labels of the sheet being fed along the sheet path. The flexible member extends over the antennas of the RFID labels of the held sheet of label paper and curves in contact with the outer periphery of the held sheet.