RFID sensor devices having drive elements
An RFID-based sensor is provided with an RFID chip and an antenna electrically connected to the RFID chip. The sensor further includes a sensing material electrically connected to the antenna and a drive element. At least a portion of the sensor is movable between a closed condition in which the sensing material is isolated from the outside environment and an open condition in which the sensing material is exposed to the outside environment. The drive element moves the sensor between the open and closed configurations depending on whether or not it is receiving a signal.
1. An RFID-based sensor, comprising:
an RFID chip;
an antenna electrically connected to the RFID chip;
a sensing material electrically connected to the antenna;
a first layer with the sensing material associated with the first layer;
a second layer;
a drive element, wherein the drive element is configured to move at least a portion of the first and/or second layers with respect to each other upon receiving a signal; and
the second layer includes at least one aperture, and the at least a portion of the first and/or second layers is movable between a closed condition in which the aperture is substantially misaligned with the sensing material to prevent fluid communication between the sensing material and the outside environment and an open condition in which the aperture is substantially aligned with the sensing material to allow fluid communication between the sensing material and the outside environment.
2. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the drive element is configured to place said at least a portion of the first and/or second layers in the closed condition when not receiving a signal and to place said at least a portion of the first and/or second layers in the open condition when receiving a signal.
3. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the drive element is configured to rotate said at least a portion of the first and/or second layers with respect to each other upon receipt of a signal by the drive element.
4. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the drive element is electrically connected to the RFID chip and configured to receive a signal from the RFID chip.
5. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the drive element is not electrically connected to the RFID chip and is configured to receive a signal from an external source.
6. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the RFID chip, the antenna, the sensing material, and the drive element are associated with the same layer.
7. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the drive element is configured to non-rotationally move said at least a portion of the first and/or second layers with respect to each other upon receipt of a signal by the drive element.