Conductive yarn/sewing thread capable of data/signal transmission having reduced or eliminated crosstalk, and smart fabric, and garment made therefrom

Abstract

A conductive composite yarn capable of signal or data transmission with minimized crosstalk having: a core formed of at least two metallic strands, wherein the at least two strands of electrically conductive metal are configured such that one strand is wrapped around the other strand, wherein: at least one inner cover wrapped around the core in a first direction at a rate sufficient to provide substantially complete coverage of the core by the inner cover; at least one outer cover wrapped around the at least one inner cover, wherein the outer cover is wrapped in a second direction opposite to a direction of a cover layer on which the outer cover is directly wrapped, at a rate sufficient to provide substantially complete cover of the cover layer; at least one bonding agent applied onto the at least one outer cover; and optionally, a lubricant.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 62 / 563,970, filed Sep. 27, 2017, pending, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.[0002]The present application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 277,397, filed Sep. 27, 2016, entitled “CONDUCTIVE YARN / SEWING THREAD, SMART FABRIC, AND GARMENT MADE THEREFROM”, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of Invention[0003]The present invention relates to the area of conductive yarns and conductive sewing threads that can transmit signal or data, and have reduced or eliminated crosstalk, along with products made therefrom, particularly in the area of making smart fabrics and smart garments using the conductive yarn / sewing thread.Discussion of the Background[0004]A demand has developed for smart fabrics and smart garments...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a conductive composite yarn that can be used to create conductive patterns in fabrics. This yarn can also transmit signals or data, reducing the issue of crosstalk.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, previous efforts in providing such conductive yarn have met with limited success.

Since most attempts to make conductive yarn involve the use of a metallic strand as part of the yarn, and metallic strands have a tendency to succumb to such repeated bends and stresses by breaking, conductive sewing threads have been even more difficult to provide, since breaking of the conductive metallic strand results in a break in the conductivity.

Another problem with conductive sewing thread is the need to be able to sew the conductive thread across itself without causing an electrical short circuit.

A further issue arises when one attempts to use the conductive yarn or sewing thread to transmit signals or data, such as in smart fabrics having biometric sensors reporting data into a storage unit within the smart fabric itself or externally to the smart fabric.

When signals or data get transmitted via such conductive yarns or sewing threads, there can be interference from ambient radiative processes and sources, or interference in the form of crosstalk between separate conductive yarns or sewing threads within the same fabric or garment which are each transmitting signals.