LICENSE PLATE FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

License plates (10) and number plates of vehicles are frequently forged or used for altered or stolen vehicles. To prevent this, license plates (10) are known, with which a contactlessly readable identification means (19) is associated in a license plate surface (12). This identification means (19) contains relevant data of the vehicle to which the license plate (10) belongs. As the license plate surface (12) is provided, primarily for motor vehicle identification or as a surface for the lettering (15), with numbers and digits for identification purposes, only little space or limited space remains for a further identification means (19). The invention provides a license plate (10) for a vehicle having an identification means (19), in which the at least one identification means (19) is associated with the periphery (13) of the license plate (10) which surrounds the license plate surface (12).

Claims

1. A license plate (10), in particular a motor vehicle license plate, having a license plate body (11), which has a license plate surface (12) having a coating, a periphery (13, 41, 45), which at least partially surrounds the license plate surface (12), and having at least one identification means (19), wherein the at least one identification means (19) is associated with the periphery (13, 41, 45).

2. The license plate (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the periphery (13, 41, 45) of the license plate surface (12) is in the form of a mount, preferably in the form of a collar.

3. The license plate (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the periphery (13, 41, 45) has a deformation, is preferably stamped with a Z-shaped, H-shaped or U-shaped cross section.

4. The license plate (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the periphery (13, 41, 45) is at least partially offset with respect to a plane of the license plate surface (12), in particular in that the periphery (13, 41, 45) is situated in the same plane as the license plate surface (12).

5. The license plate (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one identification means (19) is associated with a top side (23) and/or a bottom side of the periphery (13, 41, 45), in particular is integrated at least partially in the license plate body (11).

6. The license plate (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one identification means (19) extends over at least one edge region (30) of the deformation of the periphery (13, 41, 45), preferably around an edge (39) of the license plate body (11).

7. The license plate (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one identification means (19) is associated with a perforation (28), which is preferably in the form of a slot, in the periphery (13, 41, 45).

8. The license plate (10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the perforation (28) is covered, preferably by a demetalized strip (32), in particular in a manner such that the at least one identification means (19) is not visible.

9. The license plate (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one identification means (19) is cast in the periphery (13, 41, 45), preferably embedded in a stamping hollow of the periphery (13, 41, 45) by way of an encapsulation (36), in particular at the a rear (29) of the license plate (10).

10. The license plate (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the periphery (13, 41, 45) is provided in a different color than the license plate surface (12), in particular with a different paint or coloration (24), preferably in that the at least one identification means (19) is covered by this paint or coloration (24).

11. The license plate (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the periphery (13, 41, 45) has a coating or imprint, preferably in that the periphery (13, 41, 45) is formed by way of lettering (15) or an imprint, and in that the at least one identification means (19) is associated with this lettering (15) or imprint.

12. The license plate (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one identification means (19) is a data carrier (20), which has in particular a chip, a coil and a carrier (27), wherein preferably at least one antenna (21) and/or an amplifier element is associated with the data carrier (20), and preferably the coil and/or the slot is configured as an antenna (21).

13. The license plate (10) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one identification means (19), in particular the carrier (27) is configured to be plate-like, preferably to be flexurally rigid or limp in the form of a film (37, 38, 40).

14. The license plate (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one identification means (19) is arranged outside the license plate surface (12).

Description

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a section of a license plate,

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a cross section through a license plate according to the invention,

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a license plate in an illustration according to FIG. 2,

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a third exemplary embodiment of a license plate in an illustration according to FIG. 2,

[0037] FIG. 5 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of a license plate in an illustration according to FIG. 2,

[0038] FIG. 6 shows a fifth exemplary embodiment of a license plate in an illustration according to FIG. 2,

[0039] FIG. 7 shows a sixth exemplary embodiment of a license plate in an illustration according to FIG. 2,

[0040] FIG. 8 shows a seventh exemplary embodiment of a license plate in an illustration according to FIG. 2,

[0041] FIG. 9 shows an eighth exemplary embodiment of a license plate in an illustration according to FIG. 2, and

[0042] FIG. 10 shows a ninth exemplary embodiment of a license plate in an illustration according to FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates, by way of example, a section of a license plate 10, in particular of a motor vehicle license plate, having a plate-type license plate body 11, a license plate surface 12, a periphery 13 which surrounds the license plate surface 12, an edge 14 which surrounds the license plate body 11, and lettering 15 located on the license plate surface 12. The license plate 10 has a rectangular configuration, with its dimensions corresponding to those of a typical vehicle license plate. The license plate body 11 is configured at its periphery 13 as a fold. This fold is provided in the license plate body 11 using a forming process, preferably by way of stamping.

[0044] License plates 10 of this type, what are referred to as number plates, are typically placed at the front and rear of the vehicle, specifically at the chassis and/or the bumper. The license plate 10 additionally has a plurality of attachment holes 16.

[0045] Inside the periphery 13 or a mount, the license plate body 11 has a license plate surface 12. Located on the license plate surface 12 is the lettering 15 of the license plate 10. The lettering 15 is preferably provided in the license plate surface 12 likewise by way of stamping (FIG. 1).

[0046] The license plate body 11 is made of a metal, preferably aluminum, or a plastic having a thickness of a few millimeters. The license plate body 11 is coated on a front side 17. This coating is preferably in the form of a self-adhesive, reflective film 18. The film 18 covers the entire front side 17 of the license plate 10 (FIG. 2). Provided on this film 18 is, according to the exemplary embodiment 2, an identification means 19 at the periphery 13. This identification means 19 is attached to the film 18, preferably adhesively bonded thereto. The identification means 19 is in the form of a transponder and has a, in particular passive, data carrier 20 and an antenna 21, which is illustrated in FIG. 2 in cross section and communicates with the data carrier 20. The data stored on the data carrier 20 is contactlessly readable via the antenna 21.

[0047] The data carrier 20 and thus the identification means 19 has selected data of the vehicle to which the license plate 10 belongs. The data carrier 20 has a passive chip, which is here in the form of a passive radio-frequency identification chip (RFID chip), a coil which here forms the antenna 21, and a non-conducting carrier 22 (RFID hardtag). The carrier 22 is made of a non-conducting material, for example a plastic, in the form of a carrier film or a carrier body. The passive RFID chip which is associated with the data carrier 20 operates in a frequency range of between 800 MHz and 1000 MHz. The RFID chip generates a magnetic field which is inductively coupled via the antenna 21.

[0048] On a top side 23, the identification means 19 or the carrier 22 has a coloration 24 or a coating. This coloration 24 has the effect that the identification means 19 is not visible and is thus protected against any unauthorized removal. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the identification means 19 is set apart from the license plate surface 12 and is located only on the periphery 13 of the license plate 10.

[0049] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 of the invention, the identification means 19 is associated with the periphery 13 of the license plate 10, exactly as in FIG. 2, but the periphery 13 in FIG. 3 has an embossed or milled hollow-type depression 25, which matches the identification means 19 in terms of shape. The identification means 19 is associated with the depression 25 such that the top side 23 of the data carrier 20 and the front side 17 of the license plate body 11 are located in one plane. Located between the carrier 22 and the periphery 13 is an absorber 26, which protects the identification means 19, in particular the data carrier 20, against mechanical impacts.

[0050] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the data carrier 20 and the antenna 21 are associated with the carrier 22 such that they face the film 18. The top side 23 of the identification means 19 is covered directly by the film 18. In order to prevent the identification means 19 from being directly visible, the film 18 is provided with a coloration 24, specifically exactly over the region which corresponds to the identification means 19.

[0051] The periphery 13 of the license plate 10 that is illustrated in FIG. 4 has a perforation 28. This perforation 28 can be in the form of a slot and can extend parallel to the periphery 13 over several centimeters. In the exemplary embodiment of the license plate 10 illustrated in FIG. 4, the identification means 19 is associated with a rear 29 of the license plate 10, specifically exactly that periphery region in which the perforation 28 is also located. The carrier 27 of the identification means 19 is, in this exemplary embodiment, in the form of a flexurally rigid carrier film. The carrier 27 here extends over two edge regions 30 of the U-shaped periphery 13.

[0052] At the front side 17, exactly where the perforation 28 is located, the film 18 also has a cutout 31. This cutout 31 in the film 18 is bridged by a strip 32, preferably a demetalized strip. This strip 32 in turn prevents the identification means 19 from becoming directly visible. In addition, the demetalized strip 32 prevents an electrically conducting connection from forming between the flanks 33 of the perforation 28. The antenna 21 is associated with the rear 29 exactly such that it corresponds to the flanks 33 of the cutout 31. The antenna 21 is electrically insulated from the flanks 33 of the perforation 28 by way of a thin layer 34, in particular an adhesive layer. The antenna 21 can couple to the perforation 28, which acts as a slot antenna, by way of inductive coupling. The perforation 28, which is in the form of a slot antenna, here thus acts as an antenna 21 or amplifier for the data carrier 20.

[0053] The perforation 28 can be open on one side or closed. Due to the amplification of the antenna 21 through the perforation 28 or the slot, the signals of the identification means 19 are amplified, as a result of which the relevant data can be read even at a relatively large distance from the license plate 10. The exemplary embodiment of the identification means 19 illustrated in FIG. 4 is in the form of an RFID label.

[0054] The exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5 differs from the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 only in that the identification means 19 has a fixed carrier body 35, which is cast on the rear 29 of the periphery 13 with an encapsulation 36 which encapsulates the identification means 19. The identification means 19 is embedded between the edge regions 30 of the periphery 13. The demetalized strip 32 is located exactly in the cutout 31 of the film 18. Located above the film 18 and the demetalized strip 32 is, as in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, a coloration.

[0055] The exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 6 substantially corresponds to that in FIG. 5. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, the identification means 19 in FIG. 6 has a carrier film 37. This carrier film 37 extends from the rear 29 of the license plate to the periphery 13, over both edge regions 30 and the perforation 28, and is here partially covered by the encapsulation 36. One end of the carrier film 37 protrudes from the encapsulation 36 (FIG. 6). Such a carrier film 37, which is placed into the periphery 13 in a self-adhesive manner, can be connected particularly easily to the license plate 10. The end of the carrier film 37 that is not covered by the encapsulation 36 can be used as a tab of the carrier film 37 or of the RFID label.

[0056] In the exemplary embodiment of the license plate 10 illustrated in FIG. 7, the identification means 19 has a carrier film 38 which extends out of the edge region 30 and out of the encapsulation 36 around an external edge 39 from the rear 29 to the front side 17 of the license plate body 11. The part of the carrier film 38 that extends out of the encapsulation 36 extends on the front side 17 of the license plate 10 between the film 18 and the front side 17. The identification means 19 or the carrier film 38 is protected against manipulations by way of this cladding of the film 18.

[0057] The periphery 41 of the license plate 10 illustrated in FIG. 8 is Z-shaped. The periphery 41, parallel to the license plate surface 12, has a peripheral region 42 with which, as described in the previous exemplary embodiments, a perforation 28, a cutout 31, a demetalized strip 32, a coloration 24 are associated. The identification means 19 is applied to the rear 29 of the peripheral region 42 such that the antenna 21 is at least in inductive contact with the flanks 33. The carrier of the identification means 19 is in the form of a carrier film 40 and extends from the region of the perforation 28 over an edge region 43. The carrier film 40 is self-adhesive and associated with the rear 29 in an adhesive manner.

[0058] The exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9 differs from that in FIG. 8 merely in that the film 18 is limited only to the license plate surface 12 and does not extend to the peripheral region 42 as well. In this exemplary embodiment, the coloration 24 or a varnish extends over the entire peripheral region 42 and also partially over an edge region 44 of the front side 17. The perforation 28 is thus covered directly by the coloration 24 and no longer requires an additional demetalized strip 32.

[0059] Furthermore, provision is made according to the invention for a periphery 45 of the license plate 10 to be able to be located in one plane with the license plate surface 12 (FIG. 10). In this exemplary embodiment, as in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the identification means 19 is provided on the film 18, which is located on the front side 17 of the periphery 45. The top side 23 of the carrier 27 is provided with a coloration 24 in order to avoid direct visibility of the identification means 19. This exemplary embodiment is able to be produced particularly simply and to be used universally.

[0060] At this point it should be noted that the license plate according to the invention is not limited to the illustrated exemplary embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0061] 10 license plate [0062] 11 license plate body [0063] 12 license plate surface [0064] 13 periphery [0065] 14 edge [0066] 15 lettering [0067] 16 attachment hole [0068] 17 front side [0069] 18 film [0070] 19 identification means [0071] 20 data carrier [0072] 21 antenna [0073] 22 carrier [0074] 23 top side [0075] 24 coloration [0076] 25 depression [0077] 26 absorber [0078] 27 carrier [0079] 28 perforation [0080] 29 rear [0081] 30 edge region [0082] 31 cutout [0083] 32 strip [0084] 33 flank [0085] 34 layer [0086] 35 carrier body [0087] 36 encapsulation [0088] 37 carrier film [0089] 38 carrier film [0090] 39 edge [0091] 40 carrier film [0092] 41 periphery [0093] 42 peripheral region [0094] 43 edge region [0095] 44 edge region [0096] 45 periphery