DE102006011596A1 - Method for fixing and contacting RFID chip modules for producing transponders with a textile substrate and transponders for textile fabrics - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the continuous production of a plurality of transponders, each with at least one textile substrate (3), a chip module (1) being electrically connected to an antenna for the production of the transponder, with at least one in a first step for producing the antenna electrically conductive wire or thread (4) is woven into the textile substrate (3) and, in a second step, the chip module (1) with connection surfaces (2) on the textile substrate (3) in a connection area (4b) assigned to the chip module connection surfaces (2) ) of the wire or thread (4) is pressed until adhesive films (5) arranged between the connection surfaces (2) and the connection area (4b) penetrate the textile substrate (3) and a permanent electrical contact is established between the connection surfaces (2) and the connection area (4b) and a fixation of the chip module by curing it.

Description

The invention relates to a method for the continuous production of a plurality of transponders each having at least one textile substrate, wherein for the production of the transponder a chip module (US Pat. 1 ) is electrically connected to an antenna, and the transponder, as an antenna and associated chip module, for textile fabric according to the preambles of claims 1 and 13.

traditionally, are used to furnish textile fabrics, such as garments Transponders, especially smart labels, their operation on based on RFID technology, smart labels as inlets on a film substrate constructed, prefabricated and then as a whole on glued the textile fabric. This can be done, for example, by that the film substrate is provided on the underside with an adhesive surface, which form a permanent connection with a surface of the textile fabric should.

such textiles provided with RFID technology advantageously enable tracking of these textile products from their place of manufacture to the point of sale. In addition, in the shop can easily a "online inventory" to determine the availability Often sold clothes be carried out with certain sizes. Also an anti-theft device in the form of a triggered alarm signal when leaving the premises with unreleased textiles equipped with RFID technology are, is conceivable. Furthermore you can in such RFID chip product manufacturing data, warranty data etc. are stored.

such However, textiles equipped with smart labels are not permanent associated with the Smart Label unit, since such textile smart labels - also conditional by the compelling minimum size of the antenna - an in have stiff and relatively inflexible too large footprint to the elastic Movements that a fabric can perform to follow. This As a result, the adhesive surfaces are at least partially from the surface loosen the fabric again and the danger of complete replacement the smart label of the fabric consists.

moreover exists with such inflexible smart labels the risk that the antenna is interrupted by the movements of the textile material and destroyed so that the permanent functioning of the antenna is not ensured is.

It is known that metallic wires in textile materials during or can be co-woven after their manufacture As a result, for example, electrical paths within the To produce textile fabric. This can be done for example during a Web process of the fabric material or by subsequent Sewing or sewing on Wire on or in the fabric done. This can be a variety textile fabrics in an on-going process, including automated, respectively.

Out DE 100 47 972 A1 a method for producing a transponder coil is known in which the transponder coil is generated by using a sewing process directly on the data carrier or a carrier layer of the data carrier using one or more electrically conductive threads. In this case, at least one of the electrically conductive threads is used as sewing thread. Such sewing operations are time consuming and costly. In addition, the transponder coil 6 can be used as sewing thread.

It It is the object of the invention to provide a method for continuous production a plurality of transponders each having at least one textile substrate to disposal to provide, by means of a durable and reliable training the transponder in the textile substrate or textile fabric is possible. It is another object of the invention, textile fabric with a transponder, which consists of an antenna and a chip module available which permanently and reliably connected to the transponder are.

These Task is procedurally by the features of claim 1 and product side solved by the features of claim 13.

One essential point of the invention is that in a method for continuously producing a plurality of transponders with in each case at least one textile substrate, wherein for the production of the transponder electrically connected to a chip module with an antenna is at least one in a first step to manufacture the antenna electrically conductive Wire / thread is miteingewebt in the textile substrate, and in one second step, the chip module with pads on the textile substrate in the region of a connection region assigned to the chip module connection surfaces of the wire / thread is pressed as long as between the pads and Adhesive films arranged in the connection region are the textile substrate penetrate and make a lasting electrical contact between the connection surfaces and the connection area by their curing have made. On this way will be for the production of smart labels fast fixation and contacting allows the chip modules in the connection areas of the antenna.

in this connection are chip modules, so-called interposers or RFID-straps, used because of the special mechanical properties of textile substrates or textile fabrics, which are disadvantageous in the positioning of pads of a single chip would affect the tissues woven into the antenna thread, the danger an unsuccessful electrical contact between the pads of the Antenna and the connection surfaces of the chip. In contrast, chip modules have enlarged connection surfaces in relation to the Chips on, which is a greater tolerance in the positioning of the chip with respect to the woven antenna allow.

The pads of the RFID Chipfmodules or the RFID strap point downward, if the Module on the wires or threads the woven antenna is hung up. This also creates a direct contact of the RFID chip with the textile substrate or the Textile fabric. This is due to the surrounding adhesive in this State fixed and the chip thereby embedded. The RFID chip is through this embedding and fixing process by means of Adhesive as well as through the textile substrate material itself on his back supported. This can be for later Use of RFID labels for textiles, z. B. in terms of a washing process, be advantageous.

Of the woven antenna thread, which also formed as a band or wire can be not just an increase the durability and flexibility of the entire transponder, since the antenna all flexible movements of the textile material without destruction follows, but also the avoidance of the danger of a Sichloslösens one superficial on the textile substrate or textile fabric glued transponder or smart labels, which are no longer available as a complete unit here, because those splices, which in connection with the smart label attachment still exist, penetrate the textile substrate or textile fabric and very small area are formed.

The antenna threads or antenna bands can not only by a Einwebvorgang but also by a subsequent Sewing or sewing in or on the textile substrate or textile fabric connected thereto become.

By the use of an adhesive, for example fluid adhesive films, both fluid as well as gel may be formed, and preferably previously on the pads of the chip module has been applied as a solid adhesive film and during a Heating process liquefied or is networked while the Anpressvorganges both a mechanical fixation of the chip module as well as an electrical connection to that in the textile fabric incorporated antenna thread or antenna wire manufactured. The adhesive can at these points the textile fabric at least up to the antenna thread penetrate and thus an electrically conductive connection between the antenna wire or the antenna thread and the first pads of the Chip module produced.

During the heating and the pressing process is the solidification of the adhesive, optionally by cooling the adhesive surface, and / or the use of a rapidly crosslinking by itself Glue instead.

Prefers hot melt adhesives are used however, you can also other fast-curing Adhesives of any kind are used for mass production should be suitable.

One such hot melt adhesive can in particular in a device for the production of smart High-throughput textile fabrics using labels be because of the chip module, on the pads of the hot melt adhesive is applied as an adhesive film, automated over the Terminal area of the woven antenna thread are positioned may, a brief activation or liquefaction of the hot melt adhesive film by heating at this placement and contacting position can be automated and then a short-term pressing with a predeterminable pressure, within a predeterminable period of time and with a predeterminable temperature can take place. this makes possible a continuous assembly from a big one Number of individual textile fabrics with chip modules in combination form the smart labels with the woven-in antennas.

Subsequently finds the cooling process to curing of the hot melt adhesive also automated.

In dependence on the type of adhesive used, the structure of the textile fabric, the shape of the chip module or interposer and the applied pressing parameters, such as temperature, time and pressure, will be different voltages built up within the contact area between the connection surfaces, to a different strong frictional connection between the antenna threads and the connection surfaces the interposer leads and thus the permanent load capacity of these contacting points and thus affect the entire smart label.

According to a preferred embodiment The adhesive films have electrically conductive particles for generating the electrical connection between the antenna thread and the pads of the chip module.

The Adhesive films are removed before the assembly takes place of the RFID chip module on the textile substrate with woven antenna on the chip modules applied. Here, the adhesive film does not have conductive particles be filled but can an unfilled, fast curing adhesive with short cure times. An electric Contacting then takes place through direct contact between parts of the electrically conductive thread / wire and the connection surfaces the chip module due to the Anpressvorganges instead.

Preferably are the connection surfaces the chip modules structured on their metallically formed surface shaped so that they pits and highlights to places Penetration of the adhesive during having the Anpressvorganges. Likewise, second pads of the Antenna thread to be formed in such a way. This will not only obtain a more durable adhesive bond due to the textured surfaces, but in addition the possibility created that the connection surfaces of the chip module directly in contact with the antenna thread, regardless whether between adhesive portions are arranged, can get. hereby becomes the reliability the electrical connection in addition elevated.

Of the Yarn is preferably woven into the textile fabric in a wave form. He can additionally or instead be woven in such a way that it is particularly in the Area of the connection area to a surface of the textile fabric like a hill protrudes. this leads to also to a direct contact between the antenna thread and the connection surfaces of the chip module.

Of the Thread can be formed either as a plastic thread, which is encased with a metal layer, or consists of a solid Metal wire.

Of the Thread is either to form a planar coil for RF transponders coiled woven or shows the shape of a dipole. Of course, they are any other forms of transponder antennas conceivable.

One Transponder for Textile fabric with an integrated antenna and one electrically and mechanically connected chip module has advantageous in addition to the at least one electrically conductive thread / wire representing the antenna, which is co-woven into the textile fabric, with respect to the Textile fabric outside arranged chip module with the pads on, which are in contact with the antenna thread or its connection area through the between arranged adhesive films that penetrate the textile fabric, in electrical and mechanical connection.

Further advantageous embodiments emerge from the dependent claims.

advantages and expediencies are the following description in conjunction with the drawings refer to. Hereby show:

1 in a schematic plan view of a plurality of ribbon-like fabrics arranged with transponders according to the inventive method,

2 in a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a textile substrate or textile fabric with a portion of a transponder according to a first embodiment of the invention, as can be produced by the method according to the invention, and

3 in a schematic fragmentary cross-sectional representation of a textile substrate or textile fabric with a part of a transponder according to a second embodiment of the invention, as it can be produced by the method according to the invention.

In 1 a plurality of textile fabrics is shown in a schematic plan view like a ribbon, on which chip modules 1 are arranged. The chip modules 1 are on the textile fabrics 3 which are integrally formed in this manufacturing step, together with wires or threads woven into the textile fabric 4 arranged to thereby obtain an RFID textile label.

In 2 a section of a textile fabric with a portion of a transponder disposed thereon is shown in a schematic cross-sectional representation. The transponder has a chip module 1 with a plastic foil 1a on, on the as interface 2 a metallization layer having a lower surface 2a is applied.

On the metallization layer 2 is an adhesive layer 5 applied, which can be liquefied as a hot melt adhesive layer by a heating process and cured by a cooling process.

A textile fabric 3 consists of individual web threads projecting into the image plane, which wave-like of electrically conductive antenna threads 4 be surrounded. The antenna threads 4 are in the tex tilgewebe before the chip module is connected to the antenna and a functioning transponder is created.

The antenna threads 4 have hill-like highlights 4a on whose top surfaces are in direct contact with the underside surface 2a the connection surface 2 of the transponder.

Surfaces of the antenna thread 4 which has a connection area 4b of the antenna thread 4 are characterized by the initially liquefied or activated and then cured hot melt adhesive 5 in electrically conductive contact with the pad 2 of the chip module.

The hot melt adhesive 5 not only ensures electrical contact between the connection surfaces 2 and the connection area 4b , but also for a mechanical fixation of the entire composite of the textile fabric 3 and the interposer 1 ,

In 3 is a part of a transponder with textile fabric according to a second embodiment of the invention shown in a further schematic fragmentary cross-sectional view, as can be produced by the method according to the invention.

This in 3 reproduced textile fabric with the smart label thereon differs from that in 2 illustrated textile fabric with the smart label characterized in that in the adhesive layer 5 additionally electrically conductive particles 7 are arranged to thereby the electrical conductivity and connection between the pad 2 and the connection surfaces 4b of the antenna thread 4 - also in terms of reliability - to improve.

An additional improvement of the electrically conductive connection between the connection surface 2 and the antenna threads 4 can be achieved by a structure of the surface, not shown here 2a the connection surface 2 is formed such that individual highlights and depressions a direct contact between the antenna thread 4 and the pad 2 to ensure.

All Features disclosed in the application documents are considered to be essential to the invention as long as they are individually or in combination with respect to State of the art are new.

1

chip module

1a

Plastic film

2

terminal area

2a

Surface of the terminal area

3

Textile threads, textile fabrics

4

electrical conductive thread

4a

hill-like Emphasis of the electrically conductive thread

4b

terminal area of the electrically conductive thread

5

adhesive film

6

contact points

7

electrical conductive particle

Claims (16)

Process for the continuous production of a plurality of transponders each having at least one textile substrate ( 3 ), wherein for the production of the transponder, a chip module ( 1 ) is electrically connected to an antenna, characterized in that in a first step for producing the antenna at least one electrically conductive wire or thread ( 4 ) in the textile substrate ( 3 ) and in a second step the chip module ( 1 ) with connection surfaces ( 2 ) on the textile substrate ( 3 ) in one of the chip module pads ( 2 ) associated connection area ( 4b ) of the wire or thread ( 4 ) is pressed until between the pads ( 2 ) and the connection area ( 4b ) arranged adhesive films ( 5 ) the textile substrate ( 3 ) and a permanent electrical contact between the pads ( 2 ) and the connection area ( 4b ) and have established a fixation of the chip module by curing. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the adhesive films ( 5 ) before the chip module is pressed onto the textile substrate ( 3 ) on the connection surfaces ( 2 ) of the chip module are applied. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that for the production of the adhesive films ( 5 ) Hot melt adhesives are used. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adhesive films ( 5 ) electrically conductive particles ( 7 ) are added. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection surfaces ( 2 ) of the chip modules ( 1 ) on its metallically formed surface ( 2a ) structures the be formed such that they depressions and highlights for the local penetration of the adhesive film ( 5 ) during the Anpressvorganges. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection region ( 4b ) of the wire or thread ( 4 ) are structured on its metallically formed surfaces in such a way that it has depressions and highlights for the pointwise penetration of the adhesive film (US Pat. 5 ) during the Anpressvorganges. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressing operation with a predeterminable pressure, in a predeterminable period of time and / or with a predeterminable temperature effect on the adhesive films ( 5 ) is carried out. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wire or the thread ( 4 ) in waveform in the textile fabric ( 3 ) is woven. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wire or the thread ( 4 ) is woven in such a way that, in particular in the area of the connection area ( 4b ) to a surface of the textile fabric ( 3 ) like a hill ( 4a ) for the formation of contact points ( 6 ) to the pads ( 2 protruding). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thread ( 4 ) is covered as a plastic thread with a metal layer. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thread ( 4 ) is woven in a coil shape. Method according to one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the thread ( 4 ) is woven as forming an antenna dipole. Transponder for textile fabric, wherein the transponder is an antenna and a chip module electrically and mechanically connected thereto ( 1 . 2 ), characterized in that at least one electrically conductive wire or thread representing the antenna ( 4 ) in the textile fabric ( 3 ), and pads ( 2 ) of the textile fabric ( 3 ) on the outside arranged chip module ( 1 ) with a connection area ( 4b ) of the wire or thread ( 4 ) by means of adhesive films ( 5 ), the textile fabric ( 3 ), are electrically and mechanically connected. Transponder according to claim 13, characterized in that surfaces of the connection surfaces ( 2 ) and / or the connection area ( 4b ) have a structure with pits and highlights. Transponder according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the adhesive films ( 5 ) on the surfaces of the connection surfaces ( 2 ) are arranged. Transponder according to one of claims 13-15, characterized in that the wire or the thread ( 4 ) wavy in the textile fabric ( 3 ) is woven.