WO2008095692A1 - Measuring instrument comprising a measuring wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are an instrument (100) and a method for measuring a property of electronic functional elements, particularly electronic functional elements that are produced using printing processes, the electronic functional elements being formed by subareas of a flexible tape (2). The instrument (100) comprises a measuring wheel (1) that rotates at a certain rotational speed (11). The instrument (100) further comprises a tape guiding mechanism (30a, 30b, 31a, 31b) which continuously guides the tape (2) around the measuring wheel (1) at a revolving speed (21) which is adjusted to the rotational speed (11) of the measuring wheel (1) in such a way that the tape (2) rests on a circumference of the measuring wheel (1) when revolving and the functional elements of the revolving tape (2) have a constant position relative to the circumference. The instrument (100) also comprises a measuring device (13) which is integrated into the measuring wheel and takes the measurement on functional elements of the tape (2) when the tape (2) revolves around the measuring wheel (1).

Description

 Measuring device with a measuring wheel

The invention relates to a method for measuring a property of electronic functional elements, in particular electronic functional elements produced by printing methods, as well as to a corresponding device, wherein the functional elements are formed by partial areas of a flexible band.

Plastics referred to below as functional polymers may have electrically conductive, semiconductive or insulating properties depending on their chemical structure. Polymer electronics, also referred to as organic electronics, are based on such functional polymers. Electrical components produced in organic electronics, for example RFID tags, can be produced very inexpensively in continuous printing processes on flexible substrates (RFID = Radio Frequency Identification). First, soluble functional polymers are dissolved in solvents and processed into printable inks. Thereafter, printing processes such as flexo, offset, gravure or screen printing are used to print these inks in multiple layers on a substrate. Often very thin and flexible films made of polyester, eg polyethylene terephthalate (= PET), are used as the substrate. By processing on printing machines, the production of large areas is possible.

In the manufacture of printed organic electronic circuits, e.g. for an RFID tag, the demands on print quality are very high, for example in the resolution or in the layer quality. Therefore, quality control by measuring the properties of electronic functional elements during ongoing production is of great importance. As a property of electronic functional elements, e.g. an electrical resistance, an electric capacitance, an electrical inductance, a frequency, an electric voltage, a current, an electromagnetic radiation, etc. are measured / checked.

So far, the test of the electrical functionality of organic electronic circuits is carried out at the end of an ongoing manufacturing step. It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus and a method which allows an improved quality control of a manufactured on a flexible tape-shaped carrier substrate electronics.

The object is achieved with a device for measuring a property of electronic functional elements, in particular electronic functional elements produced by means of printing processes. The electronic functional elements of subregions of a flexible band are formed. The device has a measuring wheel rotating at a rotational speed. The device also has a

Tape guide, which leads the tape continuously at a speed of rotation around the measuring wheel. In this case, the rotational speed is matched to the rotational speed of the measuring wheel, that during the circulation, the band rests on a circumference of the measuring wheel and the functional elements of the circulating belt occupy a constant position relative to the circumference. In addition, the device has a built-in measuring wheel measuring device, preferably a measuring electronics, which performs the measurement during the circulation of the band to functional elements of the circulating belt. The object is also achieved by a method for measuring a property of electronic functional elements, in particular electronic functional elements produced by means of printing processes. In this case, the electronic functional elements are formed by partial regions of a flexible band, and the method comprises the following steps: providing a measuring wheel with integrated measuring device, guiding the belt at a rotational speed continuously around the measuring wheel, the rotational speed being matched to the rotational speed of the measuring wheel, that during the circulation, the band rests on a circumference of the measuring wheel and the Functional elements of the circulating belt occupy a constant position relative to the circumference, and measuring the property of functional elements of the circulating belt by means of the measuring electronics during the circulation of the belt around the measuring wheel.

The invention achieves several advantages:

The invention allows continuous electrical characterization, i. capturing characteristic features role to role of printed electronics. A functional test of the electronics can thus be carried out in a simple manner between the individual steps for the production of the printed electronics, without disturbing or interrupting the production process.

The functional test of the printed electronics can be done quickly and simultaneously detect a large number of components.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

Preferably, the measuring wheel has an outer circumference which is adapted to a repetition length of the functional elements of the band. The term "a repetition length of the functional elements" refers to a distance in the direction of belt travel between two similar functional elements of the belt For example, it is possible that the belt comprises three different functional elements A, B and C, which are arranged in a periodic arrangement in the belt running direction, ie in the sequence ... ABCABCABCABC ... etc. Here is a first, minimum repetition length defined as a distance between two similar, successive functional elements, eg as a distance between a first functional element A and a subsequent, next functional element A; a second repetition length is defined as the distance between a first functional element A and a function element A after the second; a third

Repeat length is measured as the distance between a first functional element A and a third closest functional element A, etc.

It is advantageous if the outer circumference of the measuring wheel is chosen so large that a certain relative position of the measuring wheel to functional elements of the tape is reached again after a complete revolution of the measuring wheel. In this way, it is ensured that the functional elements of the tape and the measuring electronics in the measuring wheel are synchronized, i. a certain part of the measuring electronics is always assigned to the same type of a functional element when circulating the band. To the o.a. Example with the three different functional elements A, B and C in a periodic arrangement: In a certain position of the measuring wheel, a part of the measuring electronics of the measuring wheel is assigned to a functional element A. After one revolution of the measuring wheel, the band has run so far that the same part of the measuring electronics is again assigned to a functional element A. In this case, between these two functional elements A there can still be N further functional elements A on the belt, with N = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4

Preferably, the measuring wheel is cylindrical, i. it has a circular circumference; in this case, the outer circumference U of the

Measuring wheel on the equation U = D • π with the diameter D of the measuring wheel in relation (π = circle number). Relative desired position is arranged to the associated functional element, it causes the correction of the position of the measuring module and / or the position of the functional element. This correction takes place with the aid of one or more drive devices, which are controlled by the adjusting device in such a way that the rotational speed of the measuring wheel and / or the rotational speed of the belt is changed briefly in order to establish the relative desired position between a functional element and a measuring module. It is possible that the drive device makes a one-time, short-term position correction of the belt and / or the measuring wheel, for example by a jerky displacement or rotation.

In addition, it is also possible that the control unit controls the drive device, to adjust the belt speed in such a way that a positional deviation is largely avoided in the future.

Preferably, the drive device is identical to a drive motor of the measuring wheel and / or a belt drive of the tape guide is. In this case, the control unit directly controls the drive motor of the measuring wheel and / or the tape drive of the tape guide. However, it is also possible for the drive device to be designed as a separate drive device independent of the belt drive / measuring wheel drive.

Preferably, the band has markings, by means of which the control unit determines the positions of the functional elements. It is possible that a marking is printed on the strip simultaneously with a printing operation for printing a polymer layer of a functional element, for example along a band edge, preferably at a defined relative distance to a functional element. An optical device of According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the measuring electronics comprises at least one measuring module which is arranged along the circumference of the measuring wheel. Each of the one or more arranged measuring modules performs the measurement on one or more functional elements of the circulating band assigned to it. Advantageously, a measurement module performs the measurement on one or more functional elements that are assigned to it radially. For then the functional elements assigned to the measuring module lie directly "above" the measuring module or in a region "above" the measuring module, whereby "above" means radially outside of the measuring module It is also possible that several measuring modules for the measurement at one and the same Functional element are responsible, for example, if it is areally extended functional elements that must be measured because of their area with more than one measurement module.

It is advantageous that the tape guide has an adjusting device which monitors and corrects the relative position of the measuring modules to functional elements of the circulating belt around the measuring wheel. For this purpose, the adjusting device has a control unit which detects the position of the functional elements of the band in contact with the band or without contact. At the same time, the

Control unit the position of one or more measuring modules on the measuring wheel. The control unit compares the position of a measuring module with the position of a functional element and checks whether a possible deviation of the positions is within a defined tolerance range.

If the control unit detects a discrepancy of the measured positions of the measuring module and of the functional element lying outside a tolerance range, ie the measuring module does not fall within a predetermined range Control unit records these markings. It is also possible for the electrical conductivity of such a band marking or a polymer layer of a functional element to be used for measuring the position of the band / functional element, for example by a non-contact inductive or capacitive measuring method.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the measurement of the properties of the functional elements is carried out without a galvanic contact between the measuring modules and the functional elements is produced. Such a non-contact measurement is possible, for example, using RF signals (RF = radio frequency). For this purpose, a measuring module preferably has a measuring head which selectively radiates RF signals in the direction of a functional element assigned to it and receives and evaluates a reflected signal or a response signal generated by the functional element or forwards it to a corresponding evaluation electronics for evaluation.

With regard to the measurement, another possibility has proved to be advantageous: Thus, it is possible that contact elements are mounted on the measuring wheel, which produce a galvanic / electrical contact between the measuring electronics and the functional elements on the tape. These contact elements are arranged on the outer circumference of the measuring wheel, so that the functional elements of the circulating belt come into contact with the contact elements during the circulation of the belt around the measuring wheel. In this case, the contact elements may be formed as electrically conductive and mutually insulated elevations. It is possible that the contact elements are designed as needles, which produce an electrical contact between the functional elements and the measuring modules. In order to make a conclusive contact with the functional elements, the needles are mounted on springs which press the needles radially outwardly against the functional elements.

It is also possible that the contact elements are designed as elastic conductive plastics. In this case, the contacts have a shape that is adapted to the surface of the functional elements so that an electrical contact between the measuring electronics and the functional elements comes about.

It is also possible that the contact elements are designed as electrically conductive flexible films. For example, the elastic films have metallic coatings at the locations where there is to be electrical contact with the functional elements.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the measuring device has a device for optical recognition / measurement of displays, which may be formed as electronic functional elements of subregions of the flexible band. Functional elements of the circulating belt can be designed as a display. It is also possible for a separate display to be arranged as an additional element on the circulating belt and / or to be integrated in or on functional elements. In this case, the display is preferably also produced by means of a printing process. At the beginning of the process of optical detection / measurement of the display, the display is supplied with electrical energy. The power supply of the display can be contactless, eg via inductive / capacitive coupling, via an RF Signal, by irradiation of light onto a provided in the functional element solar cell, or via electrical or galvanic contacts, eg by means of metallic contact pins, which are arranged on the measuring wheel. The power supply turns on the display. The function of the display can be detected by a suitable control unit (camera, sensor, etc.), which is arranged in the measuring device, and can be evaluated.

It is possible for the display to include an LCD element or other passive display element that operates by the supply of electrical energy (LCD = Liquid Crystal Display). For functional testing or optical detection / measurement of the LCD element, the device comprises a camera (for example a CCD camera) which records the display of the LCD element and forwards it to an evaluation station for analysis (CCD = Charge Coupled Device). It is also possible for the display to have an LED element or another active display element, for example an electroluminescent element, which functions by supplying electrical energy and emits light (LED = Light Emitting Diode). For functional testing or optical detection / measurement of the LED element, the device comprises a camera or a phototransistor or a photodiode which detects the light emitted by the LED element and forwards it to an evaluation station for analysis. But it is also possible that the display includes a photosensor, which comes into function by the supply of electrical energy. For functional testing or optical detection / measurement of the photosensor, the device then comprises a light source which illuminates the photosensor. The radiation of the light source induces an output signal in the photosensor. The output signal of the photosensor display is forwarded to an evaluation station for analysis. Furthermore, it is also possible for a control signal from the measuring device to be additionally applied to the functional element via an RF signal and / or via galvanic contacts, which causes the activation / deactivation of the display.

It is expedient that the circumference of the measuring wheel and / or the rotational speed of the measuring wheel and / or a looping of the band around the measuring wheel can be changed. The device preferably has an adjusting device for changing the circumference of the measuring wheel. It is also possible for the tape guide to have adjustable tape rolls which, depending on their position relative to the measuring wheel, cause a different wrapping of the tape around the measuring wheel. Thus, the time required for the circulation of a functional element around the measuring wheel, which is available for the measurement, can be adjusted virtually continuously to a predetermined value within a wide range. It is also possible that this is done by means of the above-mentioned drive means, which change the rotational speed of the measuring wheel, and matched to the rotational speed of the belt. It has proved to be advantageous that the measuring electronics integrated in the measuring wheel are supplied with electrical energy via sliding contacts and / or via an inductive current transmission. This energy transmission device may preferably be provided in the region of the front sides of the measuring wheel or integrated within the measuring wheel.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, measurement results obtained by the measurement are transmitted via sliding contacts and / or contactless to a control station. In the event of a contactless transmission is preferably an optical transmission device (infrared, etc.), an inductive transmission device and / or a transmission device based on RF signals possible. Furthermore, it is possible for the measurement results to be temporarily stored in memory elements of the measurement modules or the measurement electronics and to be transmitted to the control station at predetermined times.

Furthermore, it has proved to be advantageous to arrange the measuring device between two production devices for the production of the electronic functional elements. For example, it is possible that the

Functionality of a functional element before and after a workstation for producing an electronic functional element, e.g. before and after the application of a polymer layer. Characterized a characterization of the functional elements during the current production, in particular between different steps of the production of the functional elements is possible.

In the following the invention will be explained by way of example with reference to several embodiments with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a schematic section through a measuring device according to the invention according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a measuring device according to the invention for three different wraps of the band around the measuring wheel. FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a

Adjustment device for the measuring device.

Figure 4 shows a schematic plan view of a band with

Functional elements and an embodiment of an adjusting device.

Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a measuring electronics according to a first embodiment.

Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of a measuring electronics according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows three different embodiments of the contact elements according to the invention.

Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of a measuring device according to the invention according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a section through a measuring device 100 with a cylindrical measuring wheel 1 with measuring modules 13 integrated therein, wherein the measuring wheel 1 rotates at a rotational speed 11 about a rotation axis 10, a flexible belt 2 with electrical functional elements, wherein the belt 2 at a rotational speed 21, the measuring wheel 1 rotates and a tape guide 30 a, 30 b, 31 a, 31 b for guiding the tape 2. The Circumferential speed 21 of the belt 2, the rotational speed 11 of the measuring wheel 1 and the diameter 14 of the measuring wheel 1 are selected such that the duration which a functional element of the belt 2 requires for the one revolution around the measuring wheel 1 corresponds to a predetermined value. The circulation of the band 2 or of a functional element of the band 2 around the measuring wheel is defined as the movement of the band 2 or of the functional element around the measuring wheel 1 from the point of contact 3 on the measuring wheel 1 to the outlet point 4 of the measuring wheel 1.

During the circulation of a functional element around the measuring wheel 1, a measuring module 13 of the measuring wheel 1 assigned to this functional element performs a measurement on this functional element.

The diameter 14 of the measuring wheel 1 and the number and arrangement of the measuring modules 13 on the measuring wheel 1 are connected to the arrangement of

Functional elements adapted in the band 2. In particular, the arrangement of the measuring modules 13 is adapted to a repetition length of the functional elements in the band 2. As a result, a continuous characterization of the functional elements of the belt 2 by the measuring modules 13 is possible. In practice unavoidable inaccuracies that may increase in the course of several rotations of the measuring wheel 1 to a larger error in relation to the assignment of a measuring module 13 to an associated functional element are corrected by appropriate corrections of the rotational speed 11 and / or the rotational speed 21. The defined circulation of the band 2 around the measuring wheel 1 and the rotational speed 21 of the band 2 is achieved by means of the band guide 3Oa ₁ 30b, 31a, 31b. Figure 2 shows three different embodiments of a tape guide. FIG. 2a shows a measuring wheel 201 with a diameter 214 that rotates at a rotational speed 211. A tape guide 230a, 231a guides a tape 202a with a large loop and a rotational speed 221a around the measuring wheel 201. FIG. 2b shows the measuring wheel 201 rotating at the rotational speed 211 with a modified tape guide 230b, 231b, which has a belt 202b with a loop which is formed smaller compared to the loop shown in Figure 2a, leads to the measuring wheel 201. The belt speed 221 b of the belt 202b is matched to the rotational speed 211 of the measuring wheel 201. Finally, FIG. 2c shows an even smaller looping of a band 202c about the measuring wheel 201 rotating at the rotational speed 211. A tape guide 230c, 231c is arranged with respect to the measuring wheel 201 such that the tape 202c rests only on a small part of the outer circumference of the measuring wheel 201. In this case, the belt speed 221c of the belt 202c is adapted to the rotational speed 211 of the measuring wheel 201. By means of the different wraps of the measuring wheel shown in FIGS. 2 a to 2 c, the duration required by a functional element provided on the belt 202 for circulating around the measuring wheel 201 can be varied, and thus the duration of a measurement.

In a first preferred embodiment, the measuring wheel 201 can be driven by its own drive, which is preferably synchronized with a belt drive of the belt guide for transporting the belt 2. In an alternative embodiment, the measuring wheel 201 does not have its own drive, but is set in rotation by the frictional forces between the circulating belt 202 and the outer circumference of the measuring wheel 201. FIG. 3 shows a measuring arrangement according to the invention with a tape guide. The tape guide comprises a first pair of tape rolls 330a, 33Ob _1, a second pair of tape rolls 331a, 331b, an adjusting device with a control unit consisting of a camera 370 and a controller 371. The measuring arrangement comprises a drive device consisting of the motor units 340, 341 and 342. A functional member band 302 is guided around a measuring wheel 301 rotating at the rotational speed 311 by means of the first band rollers 330a, 330b and the second band members 331a, 331b at a rotational speed 321. During the rotation of the belt 302 or the functional elements around the measuring wheel 301, the camera 370 detects the position of the functional elements relative to defined markings on the outer circumference of the measuring wheel 301. The marks on the outer circumference of the measuring wheel 301 give the positions into the measuring wheel 301 of integrated measuring modules at. The images captured by the camera 370 are converted into electrical signals in the camera 370 and transmitted from the camera 370 to the controller unit 371 where they are evaluated.

If the controller unit 371 detects a deviation of the relative position between a functional element and a marker and this deviation is outside a predetermined tolerance range, controls the

Regulator unit 371, the motor units 340 and 342 and / or the motor unit 341 at. The motor units 340 and 342 drive the first tape rolls 330a, 330b and the second tape rolls 331a, 331b. In response to the control signal, the motor units 340 and 342 effect a change in the revolution speed 321 of the belt around the measuring wheel 301 by braking or acceleration of the belt rollers 330a, 330b and 331a, 331b. The motor unit 341 causes a change in the rotation speed 311 of the belt Measuring wheel 301. By the targeted control of the motor units 340 to 342 it is possible to return any positional deviation to a tolerated range.

As mentioned above, it is also possible that the measuring wheel 1 does not have its own motor unit, but is set in rotation by the friction between the belt and the measuring wheel. In this case, a short-term change in the rotational speed of the measuring wheel 1 by a deceleration of the measuring wheel 1 done. For example, the measuring wheel 1 on its axis of rotation to a braking device, which is controlled by the adjusting device if necessary.

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a belt 402, which has functional elements 450 in partial areas. Markers 455 are attached in an edge region of the band 402. The functional elements 450 have a periodic spacing 403 in a movement direction 421 of the band 402. In the illustrated example, all functional elements 450 are of the same type A. Therefore, the distance 403 corresponds to the minimum repetition length. In addition, FIG. 4 shows parts of an adjusting device consisting of a camera 470 and a control unit 471, wherein the camera 470 detects the position of the markers 455 without contact.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the functional elements 450 are provided in three webs 402 of the band 402 running parallel to one another in the direction of belt movement 421. Marks 455 indicate the location of a series of functional elements 450 of belt 402 that extend transversely to belt movement direction 421. It is also conceivable that the functional elements 450 are provided in only one or two or in more than three tracks of the belt 402, wherein both the Distance between the rows to each other and the repetition length 403 of the functional elements 450 is set in a desired manner.

The functional elements 450 formed in partial regions of the band 402 are realized as so-called printed electronics. Printed electronics are constructed essentially of organic or polymeric materials, i. that preferably the semiconductive layers of the electronic functional elements 450 consist of organic materials, which materials may also be added fillers or dopants, which consist of other, for example inorganic materials to z. B. to increase the conductivity or bring about the desired technological properties. In addition, contact electrodes, conductor tracks, insulators or dielectrics of the functional elements 450 can also consist of inorganic materials, for example metals or ceramics, which preferably, like the organic materials, use a

Printing method to be applied. It is essential that the materials used are coordinated with one another in such a way that they enable a production of the electrical functional elements 450 with essentially a roll-to-roll method using printing techniques.

Hereinafter, the structure of the belt 402 with the functional elements 450 of printed electronics will be described by way of example. As the substrate of the functional elements 450, a tape-shaped film substrate based on polyester or polyamide is used, on which the printed electronics are applied, in particular printed. The thickness of the film substrate is 12 to 200 microns, its width transverse to the direction of movement about 300-600 mm and its length about 2-3 km. The film substrate is initially wound on a roll and is, as usual in printing technology, continuously unwound from the roll and guided to various manufacturing devices.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the band 402, a functional element is provided with an antenna arranged on the foil substrate for receiving and / or transmitting data. The functional element then has the functionality of a transponder which, after activation by means of a suitable transceiver, wirelessly transmits the information encoded in an electronic circuit of the functional element 450. Using a conductive paste, for example a metal binder filled with metal particles, an antenna in the form of a planar printed circuit is printed by screen printing. The layers of an electrically conductive material have a thickness of 50 nm to 50 microns

A likewise applied to the substrate in printing technology capacitor is electrically conductively connected to the antenna and forms a resonant circuit with this. The resonant circuit also serves as an energy source for supplying energy to the subsequently applied, electrical components.

Above it is a layer of a conductive polymer, for example conductive polyaniline (PANI), applied by a continuous film coating process, for example a dipping process. This layer serves as an electrode for the devices with transistor function. The conductive polymer is structured by exposure in accordance with the requirements of the electronic circuit, so that electrically conductive areas are formed in an insulating matrix, which are then used as gates. Electrodes of the present in the electronic circuit components with transistor function (field effect transistors = FETs) can serve.

An insulating polymer layer applied to this layer, e.g. As polyhydroxystyrene (PHS), serves as a gate dielectric for the field effect transistors used in the electronic circuit. Another arranged above semiconducting polymer layer, for. B. polythiophene takes over the function of the semiconductor. The electronic circuit is then completed by a second conductive layer, which for example also consists of conductive PANI. By appropriate structuring, conductor tracks and the respective drain and source electrodes of the respective FETs also form in this conductive layer.

A cover film or cover layer protects the entire assembly against mechanical and other environmental influences (light, humidity, gases). This cover layer may optionally be printed in the manner of stamps with advertising or with optically readable information, for example a barcode. After the application of a cover layer, the partial regions are punched or cut out of the band 402, in which the functional elements 450 are formed. The detached parts can be used as RFID tags, possibly after further manufacturing steps.

As an alternative to a contactless method using an antenna of the functional element 450 or in addition thereto, it is also possible to read out the information stored in the electronic circuit of the functional element 450 by direct contacting. For this purpose, the functional element 450 with at least one electrical connection contact provided for establishing an electrical connection with an external reading, writing or measuring device.

FIG. 5 shows a section through a measuring wheel 501 with a belt 500 revolving thereon, which has a film substrate 502 and a first

Functional element 550 and a second functional element 551 has. Along the outer circumference of the measuring wheel 501 measuring modules 40, 50 are arranged, which are connected to a central control unit 513 of the measuring electronics. A first measuring module 40 is associated with the first functional element 550 and comprises an antenna 42 and a measuring head 43. It is so from a

Surround shield 41 that the antenna 42 can send and receive only in the direction radially outward. The second measuring module 50 is assigned to the second functional element 551 and comprises an antenna 52 and a measuring head 53. It is surrounded by a shield 51 in a manner analogous to the first measuring module 40 so that the antenna 52 can transmit and receive only in the direction radially outward.

The functional elements 550, 551 are applied on one side of the foil substrate 502, which faces away from the outer circumference of the measuring wheel 501.

The measuring modules 40, 50 are controlled by the central control unit 513 and caused to perform a measurement of a property of their associated functional elements 550, 551. The measurement is made without contact with the functional elements 550, 551 and is performed by means of RF signals which are emitted or detected by the antennas 42, 52. The illustrated functional elements 550, 551 form, for example, components of an RFID tag whose function is to be checked by the measuring modules 40, 50. As soon as it is determined by an adjusting device (not shown) that the measuring modules 40, 50 are in a predetermined position with respect to the associated functional elements 550, 551, the adjusting device sends a signal to the central control unit 513. Triggered by this signal, the central control unit initiates 513, the two measuring modules 40, 50 to begin the measurement. The measuring heads 43, 53 each generate an RF signal, which is transmitted via the antennas 42, 52 to the functional elements 550, 551, respectively. In response to the received RF signals, the functional elements 550, 551 emit a corresponding response signal received by the measurement modules 40, 50 via the antennas 42, 52. The received response signals are forwarded via the measuring heads 43, 53 to the central control unit 513, from where they are transmitted to an analysis unit (not shown).

FIG. 6 shows a section through a measuring wheel 601, over which a belt 600 runs, which has a film substrate 602 and a functional element 650. The functional element 650 is applied on one side of the film substrate 602, which faces the outer circumference of the measuring wheel 601. On the outer circumference of the measuring wheel 601 there are contact elements 612, which produce an electrical / galvanic contact to the functional element 650. Each of the contact elements 612 is connected to a regulator unit 613 by an electrical lead 614. Due to the electrical contact between the regulator unit 613 and the functional element 650, a characteristic of the functional element 650 can be measured.

Figure 7a shows a first embodiment of the contact elements. A belt 700 comprises a flexible film 702, on the layers 7030, 7040, 7050 and 7060 of a functional polymer, wherein the first layer 7030 is a conductive layer, the second layer 7040 is an insulating layer and the third layers 7050 and 7060 are semiconductive layers. The belt 700 is guided by a belt guide around a measuring wheel 701. On the outer circumference of the measuring wheel 701 is a plastic layer 7080. The plastic layer 7080 comprises elastic plastic elements 7090, 7100, 7110 and 7120, wherein the plastic elements 7090, 7100 and 7110 are conductive and the plastic elements 7120 are electrically insulating.

The electrically conductive plastic members 7090, 7010, and 7110 are electrically connected to a sensing module 713 and configured to make electrical contact with the conductive layer 7030 and the semiconductive layers 7050, 7060 of the ribbon 700. The plastic element 7090 makes electrical contact to the semiconductive layer 7050, the plastic element 7100 to the conductive layer 7030, and the plastic element 7110 to the semiconductive layer 7060.

FIG. 7b shows a further exemplary embodiment of the contact elements according to the invention. On the foils 702 are, as described in Fig. 7a, the conductive, insulating and semiconducting plastic layers 7030, 7040, 7050 and 7060 of the functional polymer. In the measuring wheel 701 needles 7140a, 7140b, 7140c are provided, which are mounted on springs 7150a, 7150b, 7150c. The needles 7140 are connected to the measuring module 713 via electrical lines. Due to the resilient mounting of the needles 7140, the tips of the needles 7140 are pressed against the plastic layers 7030, 7050, 7060 such that an electrical contact of the functional element to the measuring module 713 is produced. FIG. 7c shows a third exemplary embodiment of the contact elements according to the invention. On the flexible film 702 are the plastic layers 7030, 7040, 7050 and 7060 of the functional polymer, which are formed as described in Figures 7a and 7b. On the outer circumference of the measuring wheel 701 is a flexible film 7160, the top of which has metallic coatings 7170a, 7170b, 7170c at three points. Between the measuring wheel 701 and the film 7160 there is an elastic intermediate layer 7180 which presses the film 7160 against the layers 7030, 7050, 7060 of the functional element. The coatings 7170 provided on top of the film 7160 provide electrical contact between the layers 7030, 7050, 7060 and a measurement module 713.

FIG. 8 shows an arrangement of a measuring wheel 801 according to the invention and a tape guide according to the invention with a first roller 830 and a second roller 831, the measuring wheel 801 being connected between a first roller 830 and a second roller 831

Pressure cylinder 878 and a second pressure cylinder 879 is arranged. Around the printing cylinders 878, 879 and the measuring wheel 801, a belt 802 is guided which has a film substrate to which layers of a functional polymer are applied. At the first printing cylinder 878, a first layer of a functional polymer is applied to the film substrate by a printing device 880. In the strip running direction 821 behind the first printing cylinder 878 is a deflection roller 876, which guides the belt 802 to the first roller 830 of the tape guide. From there, the belt 802 is circulated around the measuring wheel 801 where the operability of the functional polymer layer applied to the printing device 880 can be checked. After the measuring process on the measuring wheel 801, the tape 802 is connected to the second guide roller 831 of the tape guide and a second guide roller 877 second printing cylinder 879, where another layer of a functional polymer is applied to the film substrate of the belt 802.

With the illustrated arrangement of the measuring wheel 801 between the two printing cylinders 878, 879, it is possible to test the functionality or a property of a component of the polymer electronics, consisting of printed layers of different functional polymers, during its production.

Claims

claims Anspruch [en] A device (100) for measuring a property of electronic functional elements (450), in particular electronic functional elements (450) produced by means of printing processes, wherein the electronic functional elements (450) of subregions of a flexible Bands (2, 402) are formed, characterized in that the device (100) comprises: a measuring wheel (1) which rotates at a rotational speed (11); a belt guide (30a, 30b, 31a, 31b) adapted to continuously guide the belt (2, 402) at a revolution speed (21) around the measuring wheel (1), the revolution speed (21) thus being applied to the belt Rotational speed (11) of the measuring wheel (1) is adjusted, that during the circulation, the band (2, 402) on a circumference of the measuring wheel (1) rests and the functional elements (450) of the revolving belt (2, 402) occupy a constant position relative to the circumference; and a measuring device (13) integrated into the measuring wheel (1), which is designed such that it makes the measurement during the rotation of the belt (2, 402) on functional elements (450) of the revolving belt (2, 402). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring wheel (1) has a circumference which is connected to a Repetition length (403) of the functional elements (450) of the band (2, 402) is adjusted. 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring device (13) comprises one or more along a circumference of the measuring wheel (1) arranged measuring modules (13) which are designed so that during the circulation of the belt (2, 402 ) to measure the measuring wheel (1) at one or more associated functional elements (450) of the circulating belt (2, 402). 4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the tape guide (30a, 30b, 31a, 31b) comprises an adjusting device with a control unit (370, 371), wherein the control unit (370, 371) is designed so that it has a position monitored one or more measuring modules (13) relative to the functional elements (450) and a drive device (340, 341, 342) for changing the rotational speed (11) of the measuring wheel (1) and / or the rotational speed (21) drives if the control unit (370, 371) has a position deviating from a predefined target position of the measuring modules (13 ) relative to the functional elements (450). 5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the measuring modules (13) each comprise a measuring head for contactless measurement of the property, preferably for the transmission and measurement of radio frequency signals or for the measurement of optical signals. 6. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that on the circumference of the measuring wheel (1) contact elements (612) which produce an electrical contact required for the measurement of the measuring modules (13) to the functional elements (450) are formed. 7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the contact elements (612) are formed as electrically conductive, mutually insulated elevations. 8. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the contact elements (612) as on springs (7150a, 7150b, 7150c) mounted needles (7140a, 7140b, 7140c) and / or elastic, conductive Plastics (7090, 7100, 7110) and / or metallically coated flexible films (7160) are formed. 9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (100) has a sliding contact and / or an inductive transmission unit for a power supply in the measuring wheel (1) integrated measuring device (13). 10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (100) has a sliding contact and / or a contactless transmission unit, preferably based on optical signals or radio-frequency signals, for a transmission by the measurement results obtained to a control station. 11. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (100) between two production devices (878, 881) for the production of the electronic functional elements (450) is arranged. 12. A method for measuring a property of electronic functional elements (450), in particular electronic functional elements (450) produced by printing processes, wherein the electronic functional elements (450) are formed by partial regions of a flexible band (2, 402), characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: providing a measuring wheel (1) with integrated measuring device (13); Guiding the belt (2, 402) at a rotational speed (21) continuously around the measuring wheel (1), wherein the rotational speed (21) is adjusted to a rotational speed (11) of the measuring wheel (1) such that during the revolution the belt ( 2, 402) rests on a circumference of the measuring wheel (1) and the functional elements (450) of the revolving belt (2, 402) assume a constant position relative to the circumference; and measuring the property during the revolution of the tape (2, 402) around the Measuring wheel (1) using the measuring device (13).