Tube-Housed RFID Inlay Structure for Wash Pressure Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RFID tags attached to linen face durability issues due to external pressure during washing, and their manufacturing process is cumbersome, particularly when automated, leading to low productivity and increased equipment costs.
Innovation Solution
An RFID tag design featuring an inlay housed within an elastic tube member, with engagement portions at one end to secure the inlay, allowing for simplified manufacturing and increased durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastic members are used to protect the inlay from external pressure, then durability is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective function with the structural support function by using a single tube member that both protects the inlay from external pressure and provides mechanical support. This integration eliminates the need for separate bonding processes between elastic members and the inlay, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining durability against spin-drying pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlay is nested within the tube member, creating a protective enclosure. This nested structure allows the tube member to absorb external pressure without direct transmission to the inlay, improving durability while maintaining a compact design that is easy to manufacture as a single integrated unit.
2Reliability
If elastic members are bonded to the inlay, then protection is improved, but the bonding process increases manufacturing complexity and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the bonding process entirely from the manufacturing procedure. Instead of bonding elastic members to the inlay, the design uses a tube member that mechanically houses the inlay through engagement portions, eliminating the need for adhesive bonding and associated quality control steps, thereby significantly improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube member with engagement portions automatically secures the inlay through mechanical interlocking without requiring external bonding agents or processes. The engagement portions self-align and self-secure the inlay within the tube member, eliminating complex bonding operations and improving manufacturing efficiency.
3Productivity
If automated machines are used for manufacturing, then productivity should increase, but equipment cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement portions on the inlay and corresponding features on the tube member create a self-aligning, self-securing mechanism that can be manufactured using simple insertion processes. This design allows for easy manual or semi-automated assembly without requiring complex automated bonding equipment, reducing equipment costs while maintaining productivity.
4Reliability
If the inlay is securely fixed in the tube member, then durability is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The inlay is segmented with engagement portions that extend from its surface, creating discrete engagement points. These segmented engagement features allow the inlay to be easily inserted into the tube member while providing multiple contact points that securely fix the inlay in place, balancing ease of manufacture with secure fixation.
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 design enhances durability against external pressure and simplifies the manufacturing process, improving productivity and reducing equipment costs.
Implementation Method 1
a tube member 6 having elasticity and having the inlay 5 housed therein
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
An RFID tag (1) includes an inlay (5) and a tube member (6) having elasticity and having the inlay (5) housed therein from one end portion (5A) to another end portion (5B) in a longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the inlay (5), the inlay (5) having a long shape and having: a semiconductor element (7); a substrate (8) with an antenna pattern (9) formed to be connected to the semiconductor element (7); and a protective member to protect both surfaces of the substrate (8) in a thickness direction (Z direction). The inlay (5) has a size formed to be smaller than an inner diameter of the tube member (6), the size being in a lateral direction (X direction) of the inlay (5), and has an engagement portion (12) formed at the other end portion (5B) of the inlay (5) in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), the engagement portion (12) having been extended in the lateral direction (X direction) of the inlay (5) and engaging with an inner surface (11) of the tube member (6).