Flexible UHF RFID Hem Tag for Washable Linen Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current washable products for commercial use, such as laundry, face challenges with hard tags that are damaged by mechanical stress in washing machines, have limited reading ranges, and cannot accurately identify items in piles or during handling, especially for flat linen.
Innovation Solution
A flexible UHF detection plate with a meandering dipole antenna made of stainless steel wires coated with copper, integrated into a washable product's hem, allowing for long-range reading and resistance to mechanical and chemical damage, enabling reliable identification and tracking of individual items without impairing handling or portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hard tags are used for identification, then identification capability is provided, but the tags are damaged by mechanical stress in washing machines and cannot be used in the mangle area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hard mechanical tags with a soft RFID detection plate that uses electromagnetic fields for identification. The soft tag comprises a flexible substrate with an RFID chip and antenna, eliminating the mechanical fragility of hard tags while maintaining identification functionality through contactless electromagnetic communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection plate uses a flexible substrate (such as textile or thin plastic) instead of rigid materials. This flexible construction allows the tag to bend and deform with the washable product during washing and handling without breaking, while still maintaining its RFID identification capability.
2Measurement precision
If reading tunnels with limited reading range are used, then detection of incoming laundry items is possible, but only small bags can be pushed through
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs UHF (Ultra High Frequency) RFID technology operating at 433 MHz or similar frequencies, which provides a reading range of several meters compared to the limited range of older technologies. This frequency parameter change enables long-range detection while maintaining the ability to identify individual items through unique RFID identifiers.
3Length of moving object
If UHF technology with several meters reading range is used, then long-range detection is enabled, but reading accuracy in piles of laundry may be compromised without anti-collision capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID system incorporates anti-collision algorithms that use feedback mechanisms to manage multiple tags simultaneously. When multiple detection plates are present in piles of laundry, the system uses query protocols and acknowledgment signals to sequentially identify and read each tag's unique identifier, ensuring accurate detection even when items are stacked or bundled together.
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 provides reliable and durable identification of washable products, ensuring accurate tracking and preventing damage during washing and handling, while enabling efficient reading of items in piles and reducing the risk of breakage, thus addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
With this type of dipole antenna, an increased proportion of a magnetic H field is generated, which enables a better selection of neighboring detection plates when reading
Implementation Method 2
The RFID chip is coupled to the UHF antenna via an inductive coupling loop
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a washable product comprising a UHF detection plate that can be read in a contactless manner. The UHF detection plate comprises a chip module having a chip and a coupling loop and a dipole antenna that is inductively coupled to the coupling loop, said antenna comprising a multifilament conductor having plastic sheathing.