Spring-Shaped RFID Antenna for Deformable Garments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional RFID tags face challenges in maintaining reliable communication when attached to deformable articles, such as garments, as they deform and distort, leading to variations in communication distance and precision in information management.
Innovation Solution
The RFID tag incorporates a spring-shaped antenna with power feeding coils arranged in a configuration that allows for magnetic field coupling, embedding the RFIC element and coils in a hard-resin block, providing flexibility and protection while maintaining efficient power feeding and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the RFID tag is attached to a deformable article (such as a garment), then the RFID tag can be applied to various types of merchandises, but the communication property (such as communication distance) may be significantly varied due to deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the antenna flexible and capable of dynamic deformation. The antenna is designed to bend and deform together with the article (such as during washing) while maintaining its electrical continuity and magnetic coupling properties. This allows the RFID tag to adapt to the dynamic shape changes of deformable articles without compromising communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements this principle by using a flexible antenna structure that can be bent and deformed. The antenna is constructed with flexible materials and a thin-film design that allows it to conform to the shape of deformable articles while maintaining its functional properties for magnetic coupling and signal transmission.
2Reliability
If the external antenna is formed on the same plane as the internal antenna, then the magnetic flux can be transmitted efficiently, but the antenna shape may be significantly distorted when the article is deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by designing the external antenna to be flexible and capable of dynamic deformation. Instead of maintaining a rigid planar shape, the antenna is designed to bend and deform dynamically with the article while preserving its magnetic coupling capability through maintained spatial proximity and orientation between the internal and external antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements this principle by constructing the external antenna as a flexible structure that can be formed into various shapes. The flexible design allows the antenna to conform to the deformed shape of the article while maintaining the necessary magnetic flux transmission path between the internal and external antennas.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the RFID tag is continuously subjected to large forces during washing, then the RFID tag can be used for garments, but the RFID tag may significantly be deformed and may not completely recover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by designing the antenna and RFID tag structure to be flexible and adaptable to dynamic forces. The antenna is designed to elastically deform under washing forces and automatically recover its original shape when the forces are removed, maintaining its functional properties throughout the deformation cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements this principle by using flexible materials with elastic properties for the antenna construction. These flexible structures can withstand repeated deformation during washing and drying cycles while maintaining their shape recovery capability, ensuring long-term reliability for garment applications.
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
This configuration ensures reliable and precise information management even when subjected to external forces, such as during washing, by maintaining consistent communication properties and protecting the RFIC element and connections from deformation impacts.
Implementation Method 1
a first power feeding coil that has a first end thereof connected to the first input and output terminal of the RFIC element, a second power feeding coil that a first end thereof connected to the second/other end of the first power feeding coil and that has a second end thereof connected to the second input and output terminal of the RFID tag. Moreover, the RFID tag includes a spring-shaped antenna having a first region coupled through a magnetic field with the first power feeding coil
Data Source
AI summary
A highly reliable RFID tag is provided that is lighter and smaller and has a desired communication distance, and that can be applied to deformable articles. The RFID tag includes a first end of a first power feeding coil that is connected to a first input and output terminal of an RFIC element, a second end of the first power feeding coil that is connected to one end of a second power feeding coil, and the other end of the second power feeding coil is connected to a second input and output terminal of the RFIC element. Moreover, the RFID tag has a spring-shaped antenna that has a first region with magnetic field coupling of the first power feeding coil, and a second region with magnetic field coupling of the second power feeding coil. The first region and the second region are continuous via a region having an inductance component.