Knit and embroider integrated slow pressure monitoring sensor

Abstract

The application discloses a knitted and embroidered integrated pressure monitoring sensor with slow pressure type. The application provides a knitted and embroidered integrated pressure monitoring sensor with slow pressure type, which is based on the integrated mode of knitting jacquard single-layer and double-layer air layer structure, locally uses yarn nozzles to bring in conductive yarn, adopts single-face local jacquard structure with plain knitting and floating yarn on the surface, adds a certain proportion of conductive yarn and bulk yarn in the middle, and thus weaves the sensor area. The application weaves the double-face and weft insertion structure together, uses the conductive yarn to locally form the double-layer piezoelectric layer to obtain more elasticity and larger resistance change range. The integrated sewing structure is used as an additional sensing area, so that the stability of the sensor under severe motion is improved, and the elasticity degree and the pressure contact surface are buffered and the contact degree is strengthened by adding the slow pressure gasket of the elastic foaming silica gel or TPU at the double-layer position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of integrally formed flexible knitted pressure sensors, and in particular to a comfortable wearable sensor for detecting pressure at motion pressure impact and skeletal concave parts. BACKGROUND

[0002] A flexible pressure sensor is a sensor that converts pressure into an electrical signal, and is widely used in wearable electronic devices and human-computer interaction. The sensing mechanism is divided into piezoresistive, capacitive and piezoelectric, among which the piezoresistive structure is simple, easy to prepare, low in cost and superior in performance.

[0003] The functional material of the flexible pressure sensor based on composite materials is composed of a flexible substrate and a conductive filler. The flexible substrate options include PDMS, PET, PI, PU, Epoxy, SR; the conductive filler includes CNT, graphene, etc. Adjusting the material ratio can control the sensing performance, and mixing multiple conductive fillers can improve the performance. Flexible sensors prepared by using composite materials to realize synergistic conductive network have broad application prospects in the fields of wearable devices and human-computer interaction.

[0004] Although thin film resistance sensors such as PVDF flexible piezoelectric film can be applied in the field of smart wear at present, flexible pressure sensors are generally used to measure human motion signals, physiological signals, etc. However, the existing flexible pressure sensors are not suitable for daily wear, are relatively fragile, are prone to slipping on the surface, and the manual pasting and single sewing methods affect the stability and firmness of the sensors. At the same time, the existing flexible pressure sensors are also difficult to use comfortably, especially in some motion scenarios, which affects the true reproduction of dynamic measurement results and effects, especially when there is a pressure relief protection.

[0005] During walking, running and jumping, the foot, as an important support point and weight-bearing joint in the human body structure, plays a crucial role in the function of the human body or the growth and development of the spine. At the same time, the foot is a part of the body that is prone to various problems, such as children and adolescents being a high-risk group for flat feet, and long-term incorrect movement and walking posture can easily lead to foot structure disease. Pressure distribution detection in a motion state often requires specific comfortable sensing components, and it is difficult for people to instantly understand the pressure situation during intense exercise. The existing wearable flexible pressure relief sensor technology needs to be improved and developed. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides an integrally formed knitted and sewn integrated pressure relief pressure monitoring sensor, a pressure relief insole and its application to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the technical scheme adopted by the present application is:

[0008] In a first aspect, the present application provides a pressure monitoring sensor integrated by knitting and embroidery, which is integrated by knitting jacquard single-layer and double-layer air layer structure, and locally uses yarn nozzle to bring conductive yarn by local jacquard, adopts single-face local jacquard structure with plain knitting and floating yarn on the surface, and adds a certain proportion of conductive yarn and bulk yarn in the middle, so as to weave the sensor area.

[0009] In a second aspect, the present application provides a pressure monitoring sensor integrated by knitting and embroidery.

[0010] In a third aspect, the present application provides an application of the pressure monitoring sensor integrated by knitting and embroidery in foot disease detection.

[0011] The present application has the following beneficial effects: the present application uses a computerized flat knitting machine to weave double-face and weft insertion structure together, and uses 100-1000 ohm / cm conductive yarn to locally form a double-layer piezoelectric layer to obtain more elasticity and a larger resistance change range.

[0012] The integrated sewing structure is used as an additional sensing area, so that the stability of the sensor under intense motion is improved, and the elasticity degree and the pressure contact surface are buffered and the contact degree is strengthened by adding the elastic foaming silica gel or TPU pressure pad in the double-layer position, which is a pressure monitoring sensor suitable for large-scale and intelligent production, especially suitable for pressure detection of motion pressure collision and bone depression. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a single / double-layer weaving integrated molding schematic diagram of the embodiment of the present application.

[0014] Figure 2 is a single / double-layer weaving integrated molding cross-sectional schematic diagram of the embodiment of the present application.

[0015] Figure 3 is a face layer piezoelectric sensing area plain knitting and floating yarn single-face local jacquard structure schematic diagram of the embodiment of the present application.

[0016] Figure 4 is a structure schematic diagram of the application example.

[0017] Figure 5 is an internal circuit diagram of the insole sensor a-e. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The present application will be further described below in combination with the drawings and embodiments.

[0019] The embodiment of the present application provides a pressure monitoring sensor integrated by knitting and embroidery:

[0020] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the embodiment uses a computerized flat knitting machine to weave the double-sided and weft-inserted fabric together, forming an integrated structure with single-layer areas 1 and double-layer airless areas 2. Conductive yarns 4 with a resistance of 100-1000 ohms / cm are added to the local jacquard areas 3 on the surface of the fabric and the middle, and are simultaneously woven with bulk yarns 5 using the structural characteristics, so that the fabric has elasticity and cushioning effect. Specifically, the conductive yarns are brought in by local jacquard yarn nozzles, the surface uses a special single-sided local jacquard structure with two types of plain needle and float yarns, and a certain proportion of conductive yarns and bulk yarns are added to the middle, so as to weave the sensor area.

[0021] Elastic sponge and other materials can also be added to these areas, and the pressure causes the resistance of the conductive yarns to change. The sensing area is connected to the central processor through a circuit, and transmits the processed signal data to the display, and realizes the pressure monitoring function through the voltage size and change of each sensor, while having comfort. The bulk yarns in the middle layer make this part of the area thicker than other areas, and have a certain elasticity and cushioning effect.

[0022] In an embodiment, the double-layer airless areas 2 can be filled with 2-5mm of foamed silicone or TPU cushioning pads 6, so that the piezoelectric layer above it has more elasticity and a larger resistance change range. Other parts of the material use ordinary non-conductive yarns 7, connected with a single-layer structure.

[0023] Further, to enhance the firmness and stability of the flexible knitted pressure sensor, a set of flat pack embroidery areas 8 with conductive thread as the surface thread are added as additional sensing areas.

[0024] Further, in the enlarged schematic of the local jacquard area 9, see Figure 3 , the conductive yarns (thick lines) and ordinary non-conductive yarns (thin lines) are woven using a full plain needle local jacquard structure 10 or a plain needle 1-in-1 float yarn single-sided local jacquard structure 11 to obtain different resistance change ranges. The two ends of the conductive yarns are connected to the two sides of the double-layer area, and are connected to the low-resistance conductive embroidery thread circuit on both sides, and are connected to the signal processing circuit behind.

[0025] When pressure is applied to the composite piezoresistive sensing area, the resistance value changes, causing the voltage in the corresponding connected bridge circuit to change. This voltage change is amplified by a signal amplifier, converted to a digital signal by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and transmitted to the pressure measuring device through the output interface. It is mainly used to detect the position, force and frequency of the pressure, as well as the force range in some bone concave areas such as the arch of the foot. This sensor can be placed in the heel of the shoe or the arm sleeve of the glove, greatly improving the pressure relief of the flexible sensor.

[0026] In some embodiments, especially for areas that need to prevent impact pressure, a larger double-layer structure is woven, such as for the foot, at the first metatarsal bone, the fifth metatarsal bone, the arch of the foot, and the heel area. In this larger double-layer structure, a piezoresistive pressure sensing structure woven with blended conductive yarn is distributed in the corresponding pressure area using a local jacquard structure, forming a 1*1cm, 1.5*1.5cm, or 2*2cm sensor area.

[0027] The periphery of the above sensing area needs to leave a larger double-layer air layer area, and in some detection areas of bone concave, such as the arch of the foot, a 2-5MM cushioning pad of foamed silicone or TPU is filled under the bulked yarn at a later stage, so that the piezoelectric layer above avoids contact and obtains more impact or pressure elasticity and a larger resistance change range.

[0028] Further, the bulked yarn and the silicone or TPU cushioning pad in the specific areas of the forefoot, the arch of the foot, and the rear heel are thicker than other areas, providing protection for the forefoot and soft support for the heel during exercise, reducing the effect of force on the heel. And fully support the arch of the foot to prevent the arch of the foot from collapsing. It can achieve the purpose of pressure monitoring, gait correction, and injury prevention for the parts that need protection during exercise and fitness

[0029] As shown in Figure 4 The embodiment of the present application also provides a cushioning insole. It is composed of an insole sensor area 12, a raised area 13 on the front surface of the insole, and a single-layer woven area 14. In the middle arch area of the insole sensor area 12, different arch populations can choose different height elastic body filling. Through the change of resistance, the sensor can be used to detect the pressure of the knitted insole in various different motion states of the human body.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5 The embodiment of the present application also provides a cushioning insole in the application of foot disease detection.

[0031] When the flat-footed people stand, the force on the sole is transferred to the middle, front inner side and heel inner side of the sole, and the pressure on the first metatarsal bone is increased. Therefore, when the flat-footed people use the insole, the resistance of the conductive yarn 16 changes, the pressure reading of the sensor a is increased, the reading of the sensor e is greater than that of the sensor d, and the reading of the sensor b is greater than that of the sensor a. The sensing area is connected to the central processing unit through the central processing unit interface 15, and the processed signal data is transmitted to the display.

[0032] When the sole is ulcerated, the pressure peak of the metatarsal area is abnormally increased, and the time of the sole in contact with the ground during walking is significantly longer than that of normal people, and the gait cycle is also prolonged. When this group of people uses the insole, the pressure readings of the sensors a and b are increased, and the change cycle of the sensor pressure reading is also increased.

[0033] Therefore, whether the foot disease is present can be determined by the pressure change and distribution of the four sensor points of the sole, and the gait can be adjusted in time.

[0034] The specific embodiments of the application are described above in conjunction with the drawings, but these descriptions cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the application, the protection scope of the application is defined by the appended claims, and any modification based on the claims of the application is within the protection scope of the application.

Claims

1. A pressure monitoring sensor integrating knitting and sewing, characterized in that: Based on the integrated structure of single-layer and double-layer non-connected air layer knitted jacquard, conductive yarn is introduced locally by using the yarn nozzle for local jacquard, and the face adopts a single-sided local jacquard structure with flat needle and floating thread. A certain proportion of conductive yarn and bulky yarn are added in the middle to weave and form the sensor area. Conductive and non-conductive yarns are woven using a full plain knit partial jacquard structure or a plain knit 1-space-1-clamp float single-sided partial jacquard structure to obtain different resistance change ranges. The double-layer unconnected air layer area is filled with a buffer structure, which gives the upper piezoelectric layer more elasticity and a larger resistance variation range; Through the floating wire structure design, the exposed conductive yarn floating wires on both sides are led to both sides of the double-layer unconnected air layer area, and electrically connected to the low-resistance conductive embroidery thread, which are then connected to the subsequent signal processing circuits.

2. The pressure monitoring sensor integrating knitting and sewing as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The aforementioned buffer structure uses 2-5 mm thick foamed silicone or TPU pressure-relieving pads.

3. The pressure monitoring sensor integrating knitting and sewing as described in claim 1, characterized in that: An additional set of flat-pack needles with conductive wire as the surface thread is added to the flat-pack embroidery area as an additional sensing area.

4. A pressure-relieving insole, comprising a pressure monitoring sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The pressure-relieving insole according to claim 4, characterized in that: The pressure monitoring sensors are located at the first metatarsal bone, the fifth metatarsal bone, the arch area, and the heel area.

6. The application of the pressure-relieving insole according to claim 4 or 5 in the detection of foot diseases.

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