Multi-channel circuit simplified self-powered flexible fabric keyboard, method of manufacture and use

Abstract

The application relates to a multi-channel circuit simplified self-powered flexible fabric keyboard, a preparation method and application, and relates to the field of textiles. The application combines a textile process and a friction nanometer generator technology to prepare a self-powered flexible fabric keyboard which is free of a power supply, soft and washable by arranging a sensing unit in a hollowed-out notch of a spacing layer; during the weaving process of the sensing unit of the self-powered flexible fabric keyboard, the surface of a dielectric layer is provided with an arch structure by changing the tension difference between two surfaces of the fabric, the relative surface area of the fabric is increased, and the electric signal of the sensing unit is amplified; in addition, the application can make different sensing units generate different waveform electric signals by changing the material of the dielectric layer and the arrangement combination of the sensing unit, reduce a line interface, and thus realize multi-channel circuit simplification.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of textile technology, and in particular to a self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with simplified multi-channel circuitry, its preparation method, and its application. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of materials science and electronic information technology, flexible electronic products have begun to emerge and gradually enter people's lives, especially in the field of human-computer interaction, where they have received widespread attention. The keyboard is the most common and important input device in daily life, playing a crucial role in human-computer interaction. People can use the keyboard to issue commands to devices such as computers, mobile phones, ATMs, and musical instruments. Furthermore, with the increasing prevalence of computers and mobile phones, people will become increasingly reliant on keyboards.

[0003] Currently, the most common types of keyboards in daily life are membrane keyboards, mechanical keyboards, and electrostatic capacitive keyboards. These keyboards are mostly made of rigid materials, which makes them bulky, difficult to carry, not washable, and have poor tactile feedback after long-term use. Therefore, flexible fabric keyboards have emerged.

[0004] However, the working principle of existing flexible fabric keyboards is mainly based on capacitive sensing and resistive sensing. That is, capacitive or resistive sensors are installed on the surface of the fabric by means of gluing, sewing, weaving, etc. Pressing changes the capacitance or resistance of the sensor and generates an electrical signal. Flexible fabric keyboards manufactured in this way are often expensive, difficult to mass-produce, require an external power supply, and have complex multi-channel signal transmission circuit designs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with simplified multi-channel circuitry, its preparation method, and its application, in order to solve the technical problems of existing flexible fabric keyboards, such as high manufacturing cost, difficulty in large-scale production, need for external power supply, and complex design of multi-channel signal transmission circuits.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted in this application is as follows:

[0007] In a first aspect, this application provides a self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with simplified multi-channel circuitry, comprising a spacer layer as a support structure. The spacer layer has at least one set of perforated cutouts, and each set of perforated cutouts is connected to a set of sensing units. The sensing units include a first sensing unit and a second sensing unit symmetrically and parallelly disposed in the perforated cutouts. The first sensing unit is a double-sided fabric woven from a first conductive layer on the outer side and a first dielectric layer on the inner side. The second sensing unit is a double-sided fabric woven from a second conductive layer on the outer side and a second dielectric layer on the inner side. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are respectively connected to a control unit (MCU) via wires. When the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit are not subjected to external pressure, they do not contact each other. When the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit are subjected to external pressure, the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer contact each other in the perforated cutouts. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are woven using the same or different conductive yarns, and the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer are woven using two dielectric yarns with different dielectric properties.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the spacer layer is a knitted spacer fabric, and the sensing unit is a knitted double rib fabric.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the side of the first dielectric layer opposite to the second dielectric layer has an arched structure.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the conductive yarn used in the first conductive layer includes at least: a single yarn formed from metal fibers, metallized fibers, organic electromagnetic functional fibers, carbon fibers, or intrinsically conductive polymer fibers; or a blended yarn with conductive properties obtained by spinning metal fibers, metallized fibers, organic electromagnetic functional fibers, carbon fibers, or intrinsically conductive polymer fibers with other ordinary textile fibers through core-spun, doubling, or blending methods.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the conductive yarn used in the second conductive layer includes at least: a single yarn formed from metal fibers, metallized fibers, organic electromagnetic functional fibers, carbon fibers, or intrinsically conductive polymer fibers; or a blended yarn obtained by spinning metal fibers, metallized fibers, organic electromagnetic functional fibers, carbon fibers, or intrinsically conductive polymer fibers with other ordinary textile fibers through core-spun, doubling, or blending methods.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the dielectric yarn used in the first dielectric layer includes at least: a single yarn formed from polyester, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene fiber, polypropylene, ramie, or flax; or a blended yarn obtained by core-spun, doubling, or blending of polyester, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene fiber, polypropylene, ramie, or flax.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the dielectric yarn used for the second dielectric layer includes at least: a single yarn formed from polyester, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene fiber, polypropylene, ramie, or flax; or a blended yarn obtained by core-spun, doubling, or blending of polyester, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene fiber, polypropylene, ramie, or flax.

[0014] Secondly, this application provides a method for fabricating a self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with simplified multi-channel circuitry, the method being applicable to the self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with simplified multi-channel circuitry as described above, the method comprising:

[0015] S1, Weaving the first sensing unit:

[0016] S11. Select a flat knitting machine with at least a front needle bed and a rear needle bed for knitting, wherein conductive yarn and dielectric yarn are respectively threaded through the front needle bed and the rear needle bed to knit the first conductive layer and the first dielectric layer.

[0017] S12. During the weaving process, the front needle bed for weaving the first conductive layer forms loops every other row, and the rear needle bed for weaving the first dielectric layer forms loops in every row.

[0018] S2, Weaving the second sensing unit:

[0019] S21. Repeat the weaving steps of the first sensing unit, wherein the conductive yarn for weaving the second conductive layer is the same as or different from the conductive yarn for weaving the first conductive layer, and the dielectric yarn for weaving the second dielectric layer is different from the dielectric yarn for weaving the first dielectric layer and the dielectric properties of the two are different.

[0020] S3, Braided spacer layer:

[0021] S31. Select a tough yarn and knit a spacer fabric using a flat knitting machine to obtain a spacer layer, and cut a hollow cut of a preset size at a preset position on the spacer fabric.

[0022] S4. Prepare the simplified, self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with the multi-channel circuit:

[0023] S41. The first sensing unit and the second sensing unit are arranged in parallel in the hollow cutout and fixed to the spacer fabric by sewing or pasting.

[0024] S42. Connect the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer to the control unit MCU via wires.

[0025] Thirdly, this application provides an application of a self-powered flexible fabric keyboard based on the multi-channel circuit simplification described above in the field of multi-channel circuit simplification.

[0026] In one possible implementation, by changing the material types of the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer, as well as the arrangement and combination of multiple sets of sensing units, different sensing units can generate electrical signals with different waveforms, reducing the number of line interfaces and simplifying the multi-channel circuit.

[0027] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided in this application include at least the following:

[0028] By incorporating sensing units within the perforated cutouts of the spacer layer, a self-powered flexible fabric keyboard, requiring no power supply, is fabricated using textile technology and triboelectric nanogenerator technology. During the weaving process of the sensing units, the tension difference between the two sides of the fabric is altered to create an arched structure on the dielectric layer surface, increasing the relative surface area of ​​the fabric and thus amplifying the electrical signals of the sensing units. Furthermore, this application allows for the generation of different waveform electrical signals from different sensing units by varying the dielectric layer material and the arrangement of the sensing units, reducing the number of circuit interfaces and simplifying multi-channel circuits. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the present application and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the present application to explain the application and do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0030] Figure 1 This illustration shows a structural schematic diagram of a simplified, self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with multi-channel circuitry provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0031] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a method for fabricating a simplified, self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with multi-channel circuitry according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown.

[0032] Figure 3 The voltage waveform diagram of a simplified multi-channel circuit self-powered flexible fabric keyboard provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown.

[0033] Figure 4 This invention provides a simplified diagram of the voltage output of a self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with a multi-channel circuit, as shown in an exemplary embodiment of the present application, after washing.

[0034] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a simplified multi-channel circuit for direction control provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown.

[0035] Figure 6The voltage waveform diagram of a simplified multi-channel circuit for direction control provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown.

[0036] Figure 7 This invention provides a schematic diagram of the structure of a self-powered flexible fabric keyboard for digital input with simplified multi-channel circuitry, as illustrated in an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0037] Figure 8 The diagram shows a voltage waveform of a self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with a simplified multi-channel circuit for digital input provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0038] In the picture:

[0039] 1. Spacer layer; 2. Sensing unit; 3. Control unit (MCU);

[0040] 11. Hollowed-out cut;

[0041] 21. First sensing unit; 22. Second sensing unit;

[0042] 211, First conductive layer; 212, First dielectric layer; 221, Second conductive layer; 222, Second dielectric layer. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0044] In this specification, identical components are represented by the same reference numerals. It should be noted that the terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" used in the following description refer to directions in the accompanying drawings, while the terms "bottom surface," "top surface," "inner," and "outer" refer to directions towards or away from a specific component, respectively. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this specification, "multiple" means two or more.

[0045] The present application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0046] Example 1:

[0047] Figure 1This illustration shows a structural schematic of a simplified multi-channel circuit self-powered flexible fabric keyboard provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application. The keyboard includes a spacer layer 1 serving as a support structure. The spacer layer 1 has at least one set of cutouts 11, and each set of cutouts 11 is connected to a set of sensing units 2. Each sensing unit 2 includes a first sensing unit 21 and a second sensing unit 22 symmetrically and parallelly disposed within the cutouts 11. The first sensing unit 21 is a double-sided fabric woven from a first conductive layer 211 located on the outer side and a first dielectric layer 212 located on the inner side. The second sensing unit 22 is a fabric woven from a second conductive layer located on the outer side... The first conductive layer 211 and the second conductive layer 222 are woven together to form a double-sided fabric. The first conductive layer 211 and the second conductive layer 221 are respectively connected to the control unit MCU3 through wires. When the first sensing unit 21 and the second sensing unit 22 are not squeezed by external force, they do not contact each other. When the first sensing unit 21 and the second sensing unit 22 are squeezed by external force, the first dielectric layer 212 and the second dielectric layer 222 contact each other in the cutout 11. The first conductive layer 211 and the second conductive layer 221 are woven with the same or different conductive yarns, and the first dielectric layer 212 and the second dielectric layer 222 are woven with two dielectric yarns with different dielectric properties.

[0048] In the embodiments of this application, Figure 1 The schematic diagram only shows the case when there is one set of hollow cutouts 11. When there are multiple sets of hollow cutouts 11, each set of hollow cutouts 11 is connected to the same number of multiple sets of sensing units 2.

[0049] In this embodiment, the first conductive layer 211 and the second conductive layer 221 need to be conductive and have good tensile strength and flexibility; the first dielectric layer 212 and the second dielectric layer 222 are the triboelectric layers of the simplified self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with multi-channel circuits; the spacer layer 1 is the supporting part of the simplified self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with multi-channel circuits, and needs to have a certain thickness and strong toughness to provide the elastic recovery required by the spacer layer 1; the control unit MCU3 is used to collect electrical signals and convert the electrical signals into digital signals for transmission.

[0050] Preferably, the first dielectric layer 212 and the second dielectric layer 222 are woven with two dielectric yarns with significantly different dielectric properties to improve the electrical signal output of the self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with simplified multi-channel circuitry.

[0051] In this embodiment, the spacer layer 1 is a knitted spacer fabric, and the sensing unit 2 is a knitted double rib fabric. Figure 1As can be seen, due to the difference in yarn tension on both sides of the fabric (i.e., the first sensing unit 21 and the second sensing unit 22), the side opposite to the first dielectric layer 212 and the second dielectric layer 222 forms an arched structure, which increases the relative surface area of ​​the fabric and thus amplifies the electrical signal of the sensing unit.

[0052] Specifically, the conductive yarn used in the first conductive layer 211 includes at least: a single yarn formed from metal fibers, metallized fibers, organic electromagnetic functional fibers, carbon fibers, or intrinsically conductive polymer fibers; or a blended yarn with conductive properties obtained by spinning metal fibers, metallized fibers, organic electromagnetic functional fibers, carbon fibers, or intrinsically conductive polymer fibers with other ordinary textile fibers through core-spun, doubling, or blending methods. The conductive yarn used in the second conductive layer 221 includes at least: a single yarn formed from metal fibers, metallized fibers, organic electromagnetic functional fibers, carbon fibers, or intrinsically conductive polymer fibers; or a blended yarn obtained by spinning metal fibers, metallized fibers, organic electromagnetic functional fibers, carbon fibers, or intrinsically conductive polymer fibers with other ordinary textile fibers through core-spun, doubling, or blending methods. The dielectric yarn used in the first dielectric layer 212 includes at least: a single yarn made of polyester, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene fiber, polypropylene, ramie, or flax; or a blended yarn made of polyester, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene fiber, polypropylene, ramie, or flax obtained by core-spun, doubling, or blending spinning methods. The dielectric yarn used in the second dielectric layer 222 includes at least: a single yarn made of polyester, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene fiber, polypropylene, ramie, or flax; or a blended yarn made of polyester, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene fiber, polypropylene, ramie, or flax obtained by core-spun, doubling, or blending spinning methods.

[0053] In summary, this application fabricates a self-powered flexible fabric keyboard that requires no power supply, is soft, and washable, by setting sensing units in the hollow cuts of the spacer layer and combining textile technology with triboelectric nanogenerator technology. During the weaving process of the sensing units of the self-powered flexible fabric keyboard, the tension difference between the two sides of the fabric is changed to create an arched structure on the surface of the dielectric layer, which increases the relative surface area of ​​the fabric and thus amplifies the electrical signal of the sensing unit. This solves the technical problems of existing flexible fabric keyboards, such as high manufacturing cost, difficulty in large-scale production, need for external power supply, and complex design of multi-channel signal transmission circuits.

[0054] Example 2:

[0055] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a method for fabricating a simplified multi-channel circuit self-powered flexible fabric keyboard according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown. This method is applicable to the simplified multi-channel circuit self-powered flexible fabric keyboard as described in Embodiment 1, and is combined with... Figure 1 The method includes:

[0056] Step S1: Knitting the first sensing unit 21: Select a flat knitting machine with at least a front needle bed and a back needle bed for knitting. Conductive yarn and dielectric yarn are respectively threaded into the front needle bed and the back needle bed to knit the first conductive layer 211 and the first dielectric layer 212. During the knitting process, the front needle bed knitting the first conductive layer 211 forms loops every other row, and the back needle bed knitting the first dielectric layer 212 forms loops in each row.

[0057] In this embodiment, due to the different number of loops of the yarns on the front and rear needle beds, there is a tension difference between the two sides of the fabric, resulting in a bulge in the loops of the front needle bed (i.e., Figure 1 The raised part of the first dielectric layer 212 forms an arched structure, which increases the relative surface area of ​​the fabric and improves the triboelectric output of the fabric.

[0058] Step S2, Weaving the second sensing unit 22: Repeat the weaving steps of the first sensing unit 21, wherein the conductive yarn for weaving the second conductive layer 221 is the same as or different from the conductive yarn for weaving the first conductive layer 211, and the dielectric yarn for weaving the second dielectric layer 222 is different from the dielectric yarn for weaving the first dielectric layer 212 and the dielectric properties of the two are different.

[0059] Preferably, the dielectric yarn used to weave the second dielectric layer 222 is different from the dielectric yarn used to weave the first dielectric layer 212, and the dielectric properties of the two are significantly different.

[0060] Step S3, Weaving Spacer Layer 1: Select a resilient yarn and weave the spacer fabric using a flat knitting machine to obtain spacer layer 1, and cut a pre-sized cutout 11 at a pre-set position on the spacer fabric.

[0061] Optionally, the position and number of the cutouts 11 can be flexibly adjusted according to the actual working conditions.

[0062] Step S4: Prepare a simplified multi-channel circuit self-powered flexible fabric keyboard: Arrange the first sensing unit 21 and the second sensing unit 22 in parallel in the hollow cutout 11, and fix them to the spacer fabric by sewing or pasting; connect the first conductive layer 211 and the second conductive layer 221 to the control unit MCU3 by wires respectively.

[0063] In this embodiment, initially, the first sensing unit 21 and the second sensing unit 22 are not in contact, and at this time, neither the first dielectric layer 212 nor the second dielectric layer 222 is charged. When the first sensing unit 21 and the second sensing unit 22 are squeezed by an external force, the first dielectric layer 212 and the second dielectric layer 222 come into contact in the cutout 11. Due to the different dielectric properties of the materials used to prepare the first dielectric layer 212 and the second dielectric layer 222, charge transfer occurs at the contact surface of the dielectric layers, causing the two materials to generate equal amounts of electrostatic charges with opposite polarities. When the external force is removed, the first sensing unit 21 and the second sensing unit will separate under the elastic force of the spacer layer 1, and a potential difference will be generated between the first dielectric layer 212 and the second dielectric layer 222. Driven by the potential difference, electrons will flow through the external circuits of the first conductive layer 211 and the second conductive layer 221 respectively, generating an induced current. When the potential difference between the first dielectric layer 212 and the second dielectric layer 222 is balanced, the induced current stops flowing. However, when the first sensing unit 21 and the second sensing unit are pressed together again by an external force, the first dielectric layer 212 and the second dielectric layer 222 generate a potential difference in the opposite direction to that when they were separated. Driven by this potential difference, electrons will flow in the opposite direction through the external circuits of the first conductive layer 211 and the second conductive layer 221, respectively, generating a reverse induced current.

[0064] Effect verification:

[0065] A 50×50mm sample was prepared using the preparation method described in Example 2. 2 A simplified, self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with a multi-channel circuit of varying sizes, wherein the first conductive layer 211 and the second conductive layer 221 are made of silver-plated nylon, the first dielectric layer 212 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene yarn (PTFE), and the second dielectric layer 222 is made of nylon yarn (PA).

[0066] like Figure 3 As shown, during the pressing process of this simplified multi-channel circuit self-powered flexible fabric keyboard, the first dielectric layer 212 and the second dielectric layer 222 generate two voltage waveforms of equal magnitude but opposite polarity. The control unit MCU3 identifies and judges the voltage characteristics of each signal acquisition channel. Each signal acquisition channel may generate three voltage waveforms: no voltage, forward voltage, and reverse voltage. The arrangement and combination of multiple signal acquisition channels will generate even more voltage waveform combinations, and each voltage waveform combination corresponds to a different signal output. By identifying the voltage waveforms of fewer signal acquisition channels to transmit the acquisition signals of multiple sensing units, the purpose of simplifying the multi-channel circuit is achieved.

[0067] In addition, such as Figure 4As shown, the voltage of the simplified multi-channel circuit self-powered flexible fabric keyboard did not change significantly after three washes and drying cycles, indicating that the self-powered flexible fabric keyboard prepared in this example is washable.

[0068] Next, two embodiments will be used to illustrate the application of a self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with simplified multi-channel circuits in the field of multi-channel circuit simplification. That is, by arranging and combining sensing units, multiple sets of sensing units can be transmitted through one line interface. Embodiments 3 and 4 below will respectively realize the transmission of multiple sets of sensing units through two and three line interfaces by arranging and combining sensing units.

[0069] Example 3:

[0070] This embodiment provides a simplified multi-channel circuit for controlling the four directions "↑", "↓", "←" and "→" through two line interfaces, resulting in a self-powered flexible fabric keyboard.

[0071] Figure 5 This invention provides a schematic diagram of the structural principle of a simplified multi-channel circuit for direction control provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application, in conjunction with... Figure 1 As can be seen, this self-powered flexible fabric keyboard consists of four sets of sensing units 2. The first sensing unit 21 and the second sensing unit 22 in each set of sensing units 2 are 15×15mm in size. 2 .

[0072] In the four sets of sensing units 2, the first dielectric layer 212 of the "↑" sensing unit 2 is woven from polytetrafluoroethylene yarn (PTFE), and the second dielectric layer 222 is woven from nylon yarn (PA).

[0073] The first dielectric layer 212 of the "↓", "←" and "→" sensing unit 2 is woven from nylon yarn (PA), and the second dielectric layer 222 is woven from polytetrafluoroethylene yarn (PTFE).

[0074] The first conductive layer 211 and the second conductive layer 221 in the four sets of sensing units 2 are both made of silver-plated nylon.

[0075] The self-powered flexible fabric keyboard prepared in this embodiment has two line interfaces: line 1 connects to "↑", "↓" and "←"; line 2 connects to "↑", "↓" and "→".

[0076] Effect verification:

[0077] The four sets of sensing units 2 of the self-powered flexible fabric keyboard prepared in this embodiment generate different electrical signals when they are working. For example... Figure 6The figure shows the voltage waveform of the simplified self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with multi-channel circuit prepared in this embodiment. After testing, it was found that the four sets of sensing units 2, namely “↑”, “↓”, “←”, and “→”, exhibit different voltage waveforms. Therefore, the four sets of sensing units 2 can be collected and identified by the control unit MCU3 to achieve the purpose of transmitting the four sets of sensing units 2 through two line interfaces.

[0078] Example 4:

[0079] This embodiment provides a simplified multi-channel circuit for inputting ten digits from "0" to "9" via three line interfaces, featuring a self-powered flexible fabric keyboard.

[0080] Figure 7 This application illustrates a schematic diagram of a simplified multi-channel circuitry for digital input provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application, showcasing a self-powered flexible fabric keyboard. Figure 1 As can be seen, this self-powered flexible fabric keyboard consists of ten sets of sensing units 2, and the first sensing unit 21 and the second sensing unit 22 in each set of sensing units 2 are 15×15mm in size. 2 .

[0081] In the ten sets of sensing units 2, the first dielectric layer 212 of the sensing units 2 of “0”, “1”, “2”, “3” and “7” is woven from polytetrafluoroethylene yarn (PTFE), and the second dielectric layer 222 is woven from nylon yarn (PA).

[0082] The first dielectric layer 212 of the sensing units 2, which are labeled “4”, “5”, “6”, “8” and “9”, is woven from nylon yarn (PA), and the second dielectric layer 222 is woven from polytetrafluoroethylene yarn (PTFE).

[0083] The self-powered flexible fabric keyboard prepared in this embodiment has three line interfaces: line 1 connects "1" to "6"; line 2 connects "1", "4", "7" and "8"; and line 3 connects "0", "3", "6" and "9".

[0084] Effect verification:

[0085] The ten sensing units 2 of the self-powered flexible fabric keyboard prepared in this embodiment generate different electrical signals when they are working. For example... Figure 8 The figure shows the voltage waveform of the simplified self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with multi-channel circuit prepared in this embodiment. After testing, it was found that the ten groups of sensing units 2 from "0" to "9" exhibited different voltage waveforms. Therefore, the ten groups of sensing units 2 can be collected and identified by the control unit MCU3 to achieve the purpose of transmitting the ten sensing units 2 through three line interfaces.

[0086] In summary, this application fabricates a self-powered flexible fabric keyboard that requires no power supply, is soft, and washable, by setting sensing units in the hollow cutouts of the spacer layer and combining textile technology with triboelectric nanogenerator technology. During the weaving process of the sensing units of the self-powered flexible fabric keyboard, the tension difference between the two sides of the fabric is changed to create an arched structure on the surface of the dielectric layer, increasing the relative surface area of ​​the fabric and thus amplifying the electrical signal of the sensing unit. In addition, this application can change the material of the dielectric layer and the arrangement of the sensing units to make different sensing units generate electrical signals with different waveforms, reducing the number of circuit interfaces and thus simplifying multi-channel circuits.

[0087] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this application. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of this application, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with simplified multi-channel circuitry, characterized in that, Includes a spacer layer as a support structure, the spacer layer having at least one set of hollow cutouts, each set of hollow cutouts being connected to a set of sensing units, the sensing units including a first sensing unit and a second sensing unit symmetrically and parallelly arranged in the hollow cutouts. The first sensing unit is a double-sided fabric woven from a first conductive layer on the outside and a first dielectric layer on the inside. The second sensing unit is a double-sided fabric woven from a second conductive layer on the outside and a second dielectric layer on the inside. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are respectively connected to the control unit MCU via wires. When the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit are not subjected to external pressure, they do not contact each other; when the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit are subjected to external pressure, the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer contact each other in the cutout. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are woven with the same or different conductive yarns, and the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer are woven with two dielectric yarns with different dielectric properties. By changing the material types of the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer and the arrangement of multiple sets of sensing units, different sensing units can generate electrical signals with different waveforms, reducing line interfaces and simplifying multi-channel circuits.

2. The self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with simplified multi-channel circuitry according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spacer layer is a knitted spacer fabric, and the sensing unit is a knitted double rib fabric.

3. The self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with simplified multi-channel circuitry according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side of the first dielectric layer opposite to the second dielectric layer has an arched structure.

4. The self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with simplified multi-channel circuitry according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conductive yarn used in the first conductive layer includes at least: Individual yarns formed from metal fibers, metallized fibers, organic electromagnetic functional fibers, carbon fibers, or intrinsically conductive polymer fibers; or Blended yarns with conductive properties are obtained by spinning other common textile fibers, such as metal fibers, metallized fibers, organic electromagnetic functional fibers, carbon fibers, or intrinsically conductive polymer fibers, through core-spun, doubling, or blending processes.

5. The self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with simplified multi-channel circuitry according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conductive yarn used in the second conductive layer includes at least: Individual yarns formed from metal fibers, metallized fibers, organic electromagnetic functional fibers, carbon fibers, or intrinsically conductive polymer fibers; or Blended yarns are obtained by spinning metal fibers, metallized fibers, organic electromagnetic functional fibers, carbon fibers, or intrinsically conductive polymer fibers with other common textile fibers through core-spun, doubling, or blending processes.

6. The self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with simplified multi-channel circuitry according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dielectric yarn used in the first dielectric layer includes at least: Yarns made solely from polyester, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene fiber, polypropylene, ramie, or flax; or Blended yarns made of polyester, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene fiber, polypropylene, ramie, or flax through core-spun, doubling, or blending spinning processes.

7. The self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with simplified multi-channel circuitry according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dielectric yarn used in the second dielectric layer includes at least: Yarns made solely from polyester, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene fiber, polypropylene, ramie, or flax; or Blended yarns made of polyester, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene fiber, polypropylene, ramie, or flax through core-spun, doubling, or blending spinning processes.

8. A method for preparing a self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with simplified multi-channel circuitry, the method being applicable to the self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with simplified multi-channel circuitry as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method includes: S1, Weaving the first sensing unit: S11. Select a flat knitting machine with at least a front needle bed and a rear needle bed for knitting, wherein conductive yarn and dielectric yarn are respectively threaded through the front needle bed and the rear needle bed to knit the first conductive layer and the first dielectric layer. S12. During the weaving process, the front needle bed for weaving the first conductive layer forms loops every other row, and the rear needle bed for weaving the first dielectric layer forms loops in every row. S2, Weaving the second sensing unit: S21. Repeat the weaving steps of the first sensing unit, wherein the conductive yarn for weaving the second conductive layer is the same as or different from the conductive yarn for weaving the first conductive layer, and the dielectric yarn for weaving the second dielectric layer is different from the dielectric yarn for weaving the first dielectric layer and the dielectric properties of the two are different. S3, Braided spacer layer: S31. Select a tough yarn and knit a spacer fabric using a flat knitting machine to obtain a spacer layer, and cut a hollow cut of a preset size at a preset position on the spacer fabric. S4. Prepare the simplified, self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with the multi-channel circuit: S41. The first sensing unit and the second sensing unit are arranged in parallel in the hollow cut to form a set of sensing units, and fixed on the spacer fabric by sewing or pasting. S42. Connect the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer to the control unit MCU via wires respectively; By changing the material types of the first and second dielectric layers and the arrangement of multiple sets of sensing units, different sensing units can generate electrical signals with different waveforms, reducing line interfaces and simplifying multi-channel circuits.

9. The application of a self-powered flexible fabric keyboard with simplified multi-channel circuitry according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in the field of multi-channel circuitry simplification.

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