Tactile control arrangement for electrical or electronic devices integrated in a textile support

Abstract

A tactile control arrangement (10) for at least one electronic device (W, P) including a touch control interface (12) based on a capacitive sensor matrix (S) and a electronic processing module (16) associated to the sensor matrix (S) and arranged to receive therefrom a plurality of electrical signals indicative of the touch or the pressure of an external body on at least one sensor (S) of the matrix and consequent commands to be transmitted towards the above-mentioned electronic device (W, P) is described. The sensor matrix (S) comprises a plurality of active sensor electrodes (E) and a corresponding plurality of conductive tracks (T) for the connection of the active electrodes (E) with the processing module (16). The sensor matrix (S) is formed by a plurality of flexible functional layers (32-48) including a first layer (32) of conductive elastomeric material forming the active electrodes (E) and a second layer (42) of conductive elastomeric material forming the conductive tracks (T) on a plane parallel to the layer (32) of active electrodes (E), which first and second layers (32, 42) of conductive elastomeric material are separated by a flexible layer (40) of insulating material comprising a non-conductive fabric bearing a plurality of vias at the active electrodes (E) of the first layer (32) and the corresponding conductive tracks (T) of the second layer (42), wherein the layers (32, 42) of active electrodes (E) and conductive tracks (T) are deformed so as to directly contact through the vias of the non-conductive textile layer (40).

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to tactile sensors and more particularly to tactile arrangements integrated into flexible supports for controlling electrical or electronic devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a haptic arrangement integrated into a fabric support for controlling portable or wearable devices. Background technique [0002] Today, people interact with a multitude of electrical and electronic devices that they wear, carry with them, or have near them as they go about their daily activities. Consider, for example, the devices that many people carry with them at all times of the day, such as watches, phones, and portable music readers, or the more sophisticated navigation tools that many people carry with them during travel or excursions. In a work environment, technicians, supervisory or rescue operators (e.g. professional law enforcement officers, health specialists, fire brigades) who are required to intervene in the...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0005] Unfortunately, known devices, although integrated into a piece of clothing or a wearable accessory, require a tactile control interface support that is not associated with the usual rigid support since its configuration can be obstructive or poor ergonomics design

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