Metal fastener with embedded RFID tag and method of production
View Patent ↗The present disclosure is generally directed to an RFID tag for use with a metal fastener where the fastener operates as the antenna of the RFID tag. The RFID tag includes a microchip for storing data. The chip is electrically coupled to the metal fastener in order to receive and transmit the RF signal, the metal fastener thereby operating as the antenna for the RFID tag.
1. An RFID tag comprising a semiconductor chip and an antenna, wherein the antenna comprises a metal fastener including a proximal end and a distal end and the semiconductor chip is in communicative connection with one or more sensors, the metal fastener being constructed and arranged to secure two or more objects together.
2. The RFID tag of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors are selected from the group consisting of acoustic, sound, vibration, air flow, temperature, radiation, steam, stress, pressure, torque, displacement, chemical, pH, electromagnetic, and ultrasonic wave sensors.
3. The RFID tag of claim 1 , wherein the semiconductor chip is also in communicative connection with the metal fastener.
4. The RFID tag of claim 3 , wherein the semiconductor chip is separate from the metal fastener and is connected to the metal fastener by one or more connectors that provide the communicative connection between the semiconductor chip and the metal fastener.
5. The RFID tag of claim 1 , wherein the metal fastener comprises:
a head comprising a first diameter and a top surface; and
a shaft extending from the head and comprising a second shorter diameter and a bottom surface.
6. The RFID tag of claim 5 , wherein the semiconductor chip is mounted to the head of the metal fastener.
7. The RFID tag of claim 5 , wherein the semiconductor chip is supported within a recess in the head of the metal fastener.
8. The RFID tag of claim 7 , wherein the recess is sized so that the semiconductor chip is generally flush with the top surface of the head.
9. The RFID tag of claim 5 , wherein the semiconductor chip is mounted to the shaft of the metal fastener.
10. The RFID tag of claim 5 , wherein the semiconductor chip is supported in a recess within the distal end of the shaft, such that the semiconductor chip does not extend beyond the bottom surface of the shaft.
11. An RFID tag comprising a semiconductor chip and an antenna, wherein the antenna comprises a metal fastener selected from the group consisting of nails, bolts, rivets, screws, studs, nuts and washers, and wherein the semiconductor chip is in communicative connection with the metal fastener.
12. The RFID tag of claim 11 , wherein the semiconductor chip is in communicative connection with one or more sensors, the one or more sensors selected from the group consisting of acoustic, sound, vibration, air flow, temperature, radiation, steam, stress, pressure, torque, displacement, chemical, pH, electromagnetic, and ultrasonic wave sensors.
13. The RFID tag of claim 11 , wherein the semiconductor chip stores information related to the metal fastener.
14. The RFID tag of claim 13 , wherein the information is selected from the group consisting of status of the metal fastener, performance of the metal fastener, identifying information, manufacturing information, recall history, and instructions for use.
15. The RFID tag of claim 13 , wherein the information is displayed to an operator and stored in an electronic record.
16. The RFID tag of claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the metal fastener is fabricated out of an electrically conductive material.
17. The RFID tag of claim 16 , wherein the at least a portion of the metal fastener is an outer layer of the metal fastener made of the electrically conductive material.
18. The RFID tag of claim 11 , wherein the antenna is a meandered line antenna.
19. The RFID tag of claim 11 , further comprising an impedance-matching device constructed and arranged to optimize a power transfer between the semiconductor chip and the antenna.
20. The RFID tag of claim 19 , wherein the impedance-matching device is selected from the group consisting of transformers, resistors, inductors, capacitors, and transmission lines.
21. A method for determining an inductance of a matching network between an antenna and a semiconductor chip, the method comprising the steps of:
a) providing a metal fastener and the semiconductor chip including a printed circuit board, wherein the metal fastener is to be used as the antenna of the semiconductor chip;
b) connecting the semiconductor chip to the metal fastener using a wire;
c) twisting the wire into a loop formation having a diameter;
d) reading the semiconductor chip using an RFID reader at different distances from the semiconductor chip;
e) repeating steps c and d using different diameters to find a diameter at which the semiconductor chip can be read from a farthest distance; and
f) converting the diameter at which the semiconductor chip can be read from the farthest distance into a circuit model.