Flexible RFID Antenna Strand for Washable Textile Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RFID tags with stainless-steel multi-strand wire antennas are too rigid for flexible textiles, while single-strand copper wire antennas are fragile and prone to breakage under mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
A radio frequency transceiver device with a flexible support featuring a second antenna composed of a helically wound conductive strand secured to a textile thread, which can be sewn, woven, or embroidered, and optionally covered with a protective sheath, ensuring robustness and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a stainless-steel multi-strand wire is used for the second antenna, then the antenna structure is rigid and easy to manufacture, but the RFID tag becomes too rigid and difficult to integrate into flexible textile substrates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid stainless-steel multi-strand wire with a flexible conductive strand that has textile-like properties. This strand can be woven, knitted, or embroidered directly into the textile substrate, allowing the RFID tag to maintain the flexibility and drape of the fabric while still providing a functional antenna structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures for the conductive strand, combining conductive materials with flexible, textile-compatible materials. This allows the antenna to possess both the electrical conductivity needed for RF functionality and the mechanical flexibility required for textile integration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single-strand copper wire is used for the second antenna, then the RFID tag becomes flexible and easy to integrate into textiles, but the antenna becomes fragile and prone to breakage under mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multi-strand or braided conductive structures instead of single-strand wires. This segmentation distributes mechanical stress across multiple elements, preventing any single point of failure and significantly improving durability during washing and wear cycles while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates protective coatings and sheaths around the conductive strand before integration into the textile. These protective layers cushion the conductive elements against mechanical stress, abrasion, and environmental factors, ensuring reliability throughout the product lifecycle.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the conductive strand is made thinner to improve flexibility, then the antenna becomes more flexible, but the electrical conductivity and signal strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite conductive materials that combine high electrical conductivity with flexibility. These materials maintain excellent RF performance even at thin cross-sections, allowing the antenna to be both highly flexible and electrically effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent compensates for reduced cross-sectional area by optimizing the strand length and geometric configuration. By adjusting the antenna pattern and dimensions, the design maintains adequate signal strength and coupling efficiency despite using thinner, more flexible conductive elements.
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 device maintains functionality under repeated mechanical stress, such as washing cycles, by combining a flexible textile thread with a thin, helically wound conductive element, providing both flexibility and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a second antenna formed by an electrically conductive strand secured to the flexible support and capable of coupling inductively to the first antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A radio frequency transmission-reception device comprises a flexible support and a radio frequency transmission-reception module integral with the flexible support. The module comprises a first antenna electrically connected to at least one transmit-receive electronic chip. A second antenna formed by an electrically conductive strand is attached to the flexible support. The second antenna can be coupled inductively to the first antenna and comprises at least one textile thread and at least one electrically conductive element wound helically in turns around the textile thread.