Small Flexible RFID Device with Wire Antenna for Fabric Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RFID devices for clothing are often too large, rigid, and difficult to attach, leading to discomfort and visibility, and require complex attachment processes.
Innovation Solution
The RFID device is designed with a reduced size and flexibility, connected via a wire antenna that passes through holes in a substrate, which is then attached to fabric using a thermoset adhesive coating, allowing for easy embedding and concealment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional RFID devices are used for clothing, then RFID functionality is achieved, but the devices are too large and rigid causing discomfort and visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID device is divided into separate components: an RFID tag unit and a wire antenna. The tag unit contains only the integrated circuit without a rigid antenna structure, allowing it to be made very small and flexible for comfortable clothing integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tag unit is enclosed in a flexible plastic package rather than a rigid housing. The wire antenna replaces traditional rigid antenna structures, enabling the device to conform to fabric surfaces and move flexibly with clothing without causing discomfort or visibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional RFID devices are attached to fabric, then RFID functionality is achieved, but the attachment process is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The wire antenna serves dual purposes: it provides RFID communication functionality and simultaneously acts as the attachment mechanism to the fabric. By combining these functions into a single element, the attachment process is simplified while reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire antenna automatically performs both antenna function and attachment function when integrated into the fabric. The structure self-organizes to provide both RFID signal transmission and mechanical attachment without requiring separate attachment components or complex assembly procedures.
3Volume of moving object
If RFID devices are made smaller for clothing integration, then wearability is improved, but signal transmission capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID system is segmented into a compact tag unit for wearability and a separate wire antenna for signal transmission. This separation allows the tag unit to be minimized in size for comfortable clothing integration while the wire antenna can be optimally sized and positioned for adequate signal transmission capability.
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 solution results in a small, flexible RFID device that is difficult to detect and easy to attach, reducing manufacturing complexity and enhancing wearability.
Implementation Method 1
The substrate is then attached to fabric using a thermoset adhesive coating
Implementation Method 2
Upon presence of an electromagnetic field emitted by a reader device, the RFID antenna supplies energy from the electromagnetic field to the integrated circuit
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
An RFID device that can be connected to a piece of material, in particular, a piece of fabric (22), in an efficient manner and that is small and flexible is provided. A wire antenna (16) is coupled to an integrated circuit provided on a substrate (12) of the RFID device (10). The wire antenna (16) is attached to the substrate (12) by being laced with the substrate (12) via a pair of through holes. In this state, the wire antenna (16) is fixedly connected to the piece of material by heating a coating of the wire antenna (16), which coating includes a thermoset adhesive material. In this manner, the substrate (12) is connected to the piece of material via the wire antenna (16).