Patent Description:
Particularly in the automotive industry, there is a new standard called CPA for Connector Position Assurance. A CPA is a locking mechanism that in a closed position ensures that the connectors are properly mated and prevents the mated connectors from accidental un-mating. During the assembly process, it is necessary to check if the locking mechanism is in closed position. One known way to perform this check is to use a Data Matrix code laser engraved on the connector and hidden by the locking mechanism in open position and only visible once the locking mechanism is in closed position. Another option to check if the locking mechanism is in closed position is visual inspection by the operator. These checking processes require the visual accessibility either for the Data Matrix code scanner or the operator.

<CIT> describes a connecting device having a connector and a counterpart connector suitable to mate therewith, and at least one RFID tag attached to one of said connectors and suitable to communicate with reader, said RFID tag including an antenna. The device further includes a switch adapted to put the RFID tag either in a first communication state or in a second communication state, depending on the full or incomplete mating state of the connectors.

<CIT> describes a connector system with a connector that includes an RFID circuit. Before the connector is mated with a corresponding connector the RFID circuit is tuned so that it does not function in a desired manner at a desired frequency. Once the connector is mated the tuning of the RFID circuit is modified so that the RFID circuit functions in the desired manner at the desired frequency.

<CIT> describes methods and apparatuses using RFID devices to assist in determining an open status of a container. For example, a first RFID tag is fixed to a first portion of the container and a second RFID tag is fixed to a second portion of the container. Upon a user action to at least partially open the container, the first and second portions will move relative to each other, such that one or more of the RFID tags will no longer be readable by the RFID-tag reader or will now be readable by the reader. The reading or cessation of reading of one or more RFID tags indicates at least one open status of the container. In some embodiments, the open status is at least one of an unsealing confirmation, an open motion initiation status, an open motion confirmation, a partial open status and a fully open status.

In <CIT> an RFID security device for product packaging is disclosed. The security device includes an RFID tag disposed on a first portion of a product package, and a booster antenna disposed on a second portion of the product package. The RFID tag and booster antenna are positioned on the product package so that the RFID tag will be electromagnetically coupled to the booster antenna when the product package is closed, and the RFID tag will be decoupled from the booster antenna when the product package is open.

<CIT> describes a non-contact IC tag including a first member including an IC chip and a first antenna connected to the IC chip, a second member including a second antenna, and a movement restriction unit that, when the first member is moved to a predetermined position in the second member, restricts a movement of the first member from the predetermined position. The predetermined position is a position where the first antenna and the second antenna are electromagnetically coupled to each other or a position where the first antenna and the second antenna are electrically conducted to each other.

The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to improving or overcoming one or more aspects of prior systems.

The present disclosure relates to an RFID tag. The RFID tag comprises a first component provided with an integrated circuit and a near-field antenna being electrically connected to the integrated circuit, a second component provided with a far-field antenna, and a pivoting mechanism configured to allow pivoting of the first component and the second component from an open position, in which the first and second component are separated to a closed position, in which the near-field antenna is inductively coupled with the far-field antenna and the integrated circuit becomes readable not only in the near field of RFID communication but also in the far field of RFID communication. The RFID tag further comprises a locking mechanism including a first locking part and a second locking part and being configured to have an open position and a closed position. The first locking part is integral with one of the first and second components and surrounds that component. The second locking part is integral with the other of the first and second components and surrounds that component. In the closed position the first locking part is pressed into the second locking part and prevents the first and second component from separating.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

The following is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The exemplary embodiments described herein are intended to teach the principles of the present disclosure, enabling those of ordinary skill in the art to implement and use the present disclosure in many different environments and for many different applications. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments are not intended to be, and should not be considered as, a limiting description of the scope of protection. Rather, the scope of protection shall be defined by the appended claims.

<FIG> illustrates a first embodiment for a connector system according to the present disclosure. The connector system comprises a first connector <NUM>, a second connector <NUM> and a CPA member <NUM>. The second connector <NUM> is configured to be mated with the first connector <NUM>. The second connector <NUM> is provided with a far-field antenna <NUM>. The CPA member <NUM> includes a near-field antenna <NUM> and an integrated circuit <NUM>. The near-field antenna <NUM> is electrically connected to the integrated circuit <NUM>, for example, in <FIG>, a chip with COB (coil on board). <FIG> shows the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> un-mated and the CPA member <NUM> in open position.

<FIG> illustrates the system as depicted in <FIG> with the first connector <NUM> fully inserted in the second connector <NUM> and the CPA member <NUM> in closed position. The near-field antenna <NUM> is located within a loop of the far-field antenna <NUM>. Therefore, the integrated circuit <NUM> now is readable not only in the near field RFID communication but also in the far field of RFID communication.

<FIG> illustrates a second embodiment for a connector system according to the present disclosure. The connector system comprises a first connector <NUM>, a second connector <NUM> and a CPA member <NUM>. The second connector <NUM> is configured to be mated with the first connector <NUM>. The second connector <NUM> is provided with a far-field antenna <NUM> (chip with COB), both schematically shown in <FIG>. The CPA member <NUM> includes an integrated circuit <NUM> and a near-field antenna <NUM> (schematically shown). The near-field antenna <NUM> is electrically connected to the integrated circuit <NUM>. Receiving means <NUM> are formed on the first connector <NUM> and receiving means <NUM> are formed on the second connector <NUM> for receiving the CPA member <NUM>. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the receiving means <NUM> is integral part of the first connector <NUM> and the receiving means <NUM> is integral part of the second connector <NUM>. The CPA member <NUM> is movable connected to the receiving means <NUM> on the first connector <NUM>. The CPA member <NUM> can be moved from a preassembled position to a closed position. <FIG> shows the first connector <NUM> partly inserted in the second connector <NUM> and the CPA member <NUM> in preassembled position. The near-field antenna <NUM> is not coupled with the far-field antenna <NUM> of the second connector <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the system as depicted in <FIG> with the first connector <NUM> fully inserted in the second connector <NUM> and the CPA member <NUM> in closed position. The near-field antenna <NUM> is coupled with the far-field antenna <NUM> (shown schematically) of the second connector <NUM>. Therefore, the integrated circuit <NUM> is now readable not only in the near field of RFID communication but also in the far field of RFID communication.

<FIG> illustrates the principle of coupling a near-field antenna <NUM> with a far-field antenna <NUM>. The near-field antenna <NUM> is electrically connected to an integrated circuit <NUM>. The near-field antenna <NUM> and the integrated circuit <NUM> are provided on a CPA member <NUM>. If the near-field antenna <NUM> is not positioned within the coupling loop <NUM> of the far-field antenna <NUM>, the integrated circuit is readable in a short distance i.e. the near field of RFID communication. If however, the near-field antenna <NUM> is positioned within the coupling loop <NUM> of the far-field antenna <NUM>, the integrated circuit is readable in a long distance i.e. the far-field of RFID communication.

<FIG> illustrates a system for which the method to check if a connector system is provided with a CPA member <NUM> in closed position according to the present disclosure can be applied. The system comprises a first connector <NUM> and a second connector <NUM>. The first connector <NUM> and second connector <NUM> are configured to be mated with each other. The second connector <NUM> is provided with a far-field antenna <NUM> (schematically shown). One step of the method according to the present disclosure may be the mating of the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> along the dotted line L. The system shown in <FIG> further comprises a CPA member <NUM> which is provided with an integrated circuit <NUM> and an electrically connected near-field antenna <NUM>, i.e. a chip with COB (coil on board). A further step of the method according to the present disclosure may be the moving of the CPA member <NUM> to its closed position by inserting it into the receiving means <NUM> on the first connector <NUM> and into the receiving means <NUM> on the second connector <NUM> along the dotted line L. In the closed position, the integrated circuit <NUM> with the near-field antenna <NUM> is inductively coupled with the far-field antenna <NUM> and is now readable not only in the near field of RFID communication but also in the far field of RFID communication. Further in the closed position, the CPA member <NUM> prevents the mated connectors from accidental un-mating. If the CPA member <NUM> cannot be inserted into the assembled connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, it is an indication that the connectors <NUM>, <NUM> are not properly engaged. As used herein, the term "properly mated" is intended to mean that the connectors have been sufficiently mated to achieve their intended purpose e.g. electrical connectors enable a current flow when properly connected. The system further comprises an RFID-tag reader <NUM> and an output unit <NUM>. The RFID-tag reader <NUM> is positioned to the integrated circuit <NUM> at such a distance D that enables far-field RFID communication and does not permit near-field RFID communication between the RFID-tag reader and the integrated circuit <NUM>. A further step of the method according to the present disclosure may be the checking of the readability of the integrated circuit <NUM> with the RFID-tag reader <NUM>. If the integrated circuit <NUM> is readable by the RFID-tag reader, the near-field antenna is coupled with the far-field antenna i.e. the first connector <NUM> and second connector <NUM> are properly mated and secured against accidental un-mating. The present disclosure may comprise as a further step the issuing of a signal at the output unit <NUM>. The signal may be a red light or some other method of alerting an operator that integrated circuit <NUM> is not readable with the RFID-tag reader. If the integrated circuit <NUM> is readable with the RFID-tag reader <NUM>, the signal may be a green light or the like to inform the operator.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of an RFID tag according to the present disclosure. <FIG> shows a first component <NUM> and a second component <NUM> of the RFID tag. The first component <NUM> and the second component <NUM> are each at one end connected to a pivoting mechanism <NUM> which permits pivoting of the first component <NUM> and the second component <NUM>. The pivoting mechanism <NUM> comprises a pin <NUM> which connects the first component <NUM> and the second component <NUM> and which is the rotational axis for the pivoting movement of the first and the second component <NUM>, <NUM>. The first component <NUM> comprises an integrated circuit <NUM> which is electrically connected to a near-field antenna <NUM>. The second component <NUM> comprises a far-field antenna <NUM>. If the first component <NUM> and the second component <NUM> are in a closed position, i.e. the first and second component <NUM>, <NUM> are side by side, the near-field antenna <NUM> and the far-field antenna <NUM> are coupled. When near-field antenna <NUM> and the far-field antenna <NUM> are coupled, the integrated circuit with near-field antenna <NUM> is not only readable in the near field of RFID communication but also in the far-field RFID communication.

<FIG> illustrates the embodiment depicted in <FIG> in a closed and in an open position. In the closed position the first and second component <NUM>, <NUM> are side by side and the integrated circuit with near-field antenna <NUM> and the far-field antenna <NUM> are coupled. In the open position the first and second component <NUM>, <NUM> are separated and the integrated circuit with near-field antenna <NUM> is not coupled with the far-field antenna <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed systems and methods. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the general disclosure.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method for referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All method steps described herein can be performed in any suitable order, unless otherwise indicated or clearly contradicted by the context.

Although the preferred embodiments of this disclosure have been described herein, improvements and modifications may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the following claims.

The present disclosure is based at least in part on the realization that there is a need for a reliable solution to check if a connector system is provided with a CPA member in closed position. In this respect, it has been realized that it is advantageous if the requirement of visual view on the connectors for this checking process can be avoided. The idea is to use a nearfield antenna which is electrically connected to an integrated circuit on the CPA member and a far field antenna as a booster on the connector itself. For the near-field antenna with integrated circuit you may use a UHF PCB coin, an UHF coil-on-chip or coil-on-a-chip or on-chip-coil or anything comparable. Once the connector is plugged, you need to put the CPA member in closed position to couple the near-field antenna with the far-field antenna and by this to increase the read range of the RFID system. If the CPA member is not in closed position (not locked), the reading distance will be reduced to the near field antenna reading distance with very limited reading range. This principle could also be used to be sure that a plug (containing near field antenna) is connected with an outlet (containing far-field antenna). Another use case is also used for tamper evidence tags. For example if you try to remove the tag from the object, the nearfield antenna will be disconnected from the far field antenna and the tag lose his reading range. One advantage of the disclosure is that there is no need of visual view of the connector to be sure it is locked.

Claim 1:
An RFID tag (<NUM>) comprising:
- a first component (<NUM>) provided with an integrated circuit (<NUM>) and a near-field antenna (<NUM>) being electrically connected to the integrated circuit (<NUM>);
- a second component (<NUM>) provided with a far-field antenna (<NUM>);
- a pivoting mechanism (<NUM>) configured to allow pivoting of the first component (<NUM>) and the second component (<NUM>) from an open position, in which the first and second component (<NUM>, <NUM>) are separated to a closed position, in which the integrated circuit (<NUM>) with near-field antenna (<NUM>) is inductively coupled with the far-field antenna (<NUM>) such that the integrated circuit (<NUM>) is readable not only in the near field RFID communication but also in the far field of RFID communication, and
- a locking mechanism including a first locking part (<NUM>) and a second locking part (<NUM>) and being configured to have an open position and a closed position, characterized in that
i) the first locking part (<NUM>) is integral with one of the first and second components (<NUM>, <NUM>) and surrounds that component,
ii) the second locking part (<NUM>) is integral with the other of the first and second components (<NUM>, <NUM>) and surrounds that component, and
iii) in the closed position the first locking part (<NUM>) is pressed into the second locking part (<NUM>) and prevents the first and second component (<NUM>,<NUM>) from separating.