Sensing fabric and method for manufacturing the same, smart clothing

Abstract

The application discloses a sensing fabric and a preparation method thereof and a smart garment, and relates to the technical field of smart textiles, wherein the sensing fabric comprises a fabric base body and a sensing yarn, the sensing yarn is embedded in the fabric base body in a knitting mode, and the knitting mode comprises at least one of a double-layer knitting structure, a spacer fabric, and a spacer weft thread. The technical scheme provided by the application can improve the wearing comfort of the smart garment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of smart textiles, and in particular to a sensing fabric and a preparation method thereof, and smart clothing. Background Art

[0002] With the development of flexible electronics and smart textiles, integrating sensors into textiles to enable real-time monitoring of human physiological signals or movement behavior has become a research hotspot. However, current smart clothing often uses rigid sensor modules or flexible membrane sensors attached to the fabric surface, which often results in poor wearing comfort. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a sensor fabric and a preparation method thereof, and smart clothing, aiming to improve the wearing comfort of smart clothing.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a sensing fabric, which includes a fabric base and a sensing yarn, wherein the sensing yarn is embedded in the fabric base in a knitting manner, and the knitting manner includes at least one of a double-layer knitting structure, a padding structure, and an interval floating thread weft insertion.

[0005] In one embodiment, the sensing fabric further includes a fixed fabric, which is connected to the surface layer of the fabric base by knitting, and the fixed fabric and the fabric base enclose a fixed space; the sensing yarn is passed through the fixed space and is connected to the fabric base and the fixed fabric by knitting.

[0006] In one embodiment, the threading direction of the sensing yarn is defined as a first direction, and the fixed space extends along the first direction.

[0007] In one embodiment, a dimension of the fixed space perpendicular to the first direction is 0.15 mm to 0.25 mm larger than a radial dimension of the sensing yarn.

[0008] In one embodiment, the threading direction of the sensing yarn is defined as a first direction, and a direction perpendicular to the threading direction of the sensing yarn is defined as a second direction;

[0009] The fabric base includes a plurality of rows of threads arranged in parallel and connected along the second direction, each row of threads including a plurality of first coils and a plurality of second coils, the plurality of first coils and the plurality of second coils are arrayed along the first direction, and in the first direction, the first coils and the second coils are staggered and connected in a loop;

[0010] The sensing yarn is inserted into the loop connection between the first coil and the second coil in one of the rows along the first direction; or,

[0011] The sensing yarn is inserted into the connection between two adjacent rows of yarns along the first direction.

[0012] In one embodiment, the sensing fabric further includes conductive yarns, which are embedded in the fabric matrix in a knitting manner, and the sensing yarns are interwoven and in contact with the conductive yarns and are electrically conductive.

[0013] The present invention also provides a method for preparing a sensor fabric, comprising the following steps:

[0014] providing a fabric substrate and a sensing yarn;

[0015] The sensing yarn is embedded into the fabric matrix by knitting, wherein the knitting method includes at least one of a double-layer knitting structure, a padding structure, and an interval float weft insertion.

[0016] In one embodiment, the step of embedding the sensing yarn into the fabric matrix by knitting comprises:

[0017] Provide a fixed fabric;

[0018] The fixing fabric is connected to the surface layer of the fabric base by knitting, so that a fixed space is formed between the fixing fabric and the fabric base;

[0019] The sensing yarn is passed through the fixed space, and the sensing yarn is connected to the fabric base and the fixed fabric by knitting;

[0020] Alternatively, the step of embedding the sensing yarn into the fabric matrix by knitting comprises:

[0021] Weaving the sensing yarn into the fabric base at a loop connection in a row of the fabric base;

[0022] Alternatively, the step of embedding the sensing yarn into the fabric matrix by knitting comprises:

[0023] The sensing yarn is woven into the fabric matrix at the connection between two adjacent rows of the fabric matrix.

[0024] In one embodiment, after the step of embedding the sensing yarn into the fabric matrix by knitting, the method further comprises:

[0025] providing conductive yarn;

[0026] The conductive yarn is embedded in the fabric matrix by knitting, and the conductive yarn is interwoven and in contact with the sensing yarn.

[0027] The present invention also provides a smart garment, which is made of the sensor fabric as described above, or made of the sensor fabric prepared by the sensor fabric preparation method as described above.

[0028] In one embodiment, the sensing yarn is a stretch sensing yarn, and the stretch sensing yarn is arranged at a joint portion of the sensing fabric; and / or,

[0029] The sensing yarn is a pressure sensing yarn, and the pressure sensing yarn is arranged on the chest, back and soles of the sensing fabric.

[0030] The sensor fabric provided by the present invention embeds sensor yarns into a fabric matrix through knitting, effectively reducing fabric thickness and significantly improving wearer comfort while also offering high integration and excellent durability. Furthermore, the knitting method utilizes at least one of a double-layer knit structure, a padding weave, and spaced-float weft inlay. These methods provide stable support and positioning for the sensor yarns from different dimensions. The double-layer knit structure creates a three-dimensional interwoven network, the padding weave utilizes localized thickening and padding, and the spaced-float weft inlay utilizes a specific float arrangement. These methods all securely and stably embed the sensor yarns into the fabric matrix, ensuring the stable and reliable sensing function of the sensor fabric. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the weaving of sensing yarns in one embodiment of the sensing fabric provided by the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the weaving of sensing yarns in another embodiment of the sensing fabric provided by the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the weaving of sensing yarns in another embodiment of the sensing fabric provided by the present invention;

[0035] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of conductive yarns woven into an embodiment of the sensor fabric provided by the present invention;

[0036] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the connection between the conductive yarn and the sensing yarn in one embodiment of the sensing fabric provided by the present invention;

[0037] Figure 6Schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the smart clothing provided by the present invention from different perspectives.

[0038] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0039] 100. Sensing fabric; 1. Fabric substrate; 1a. Fabric yarn; 11. Wire arrangement; 111. First coil; 112. Second coil; 2. Fixed fabric; 3. Sensing yarn; 4. Conductive yarn.

[0040] The purpose, features and advantages of the present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and in conjunction with the embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0042] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indications are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the various components under a certain specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0043] In addition, if there are descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present invention, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or suggesting their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features limited to "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In addition, if "and / or" or "and / or" appears in the full text, its meaning includes three parallel solutions. Taking "A and / or B" as an example, it includes solution A, solution B, or solutions that satisfy both A and B. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the ability of ordinary technicians in this field to implement. When the combination of technical solutions is mutually contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0044] Current smart clothing mostly uses rigid sensor modules or flexible membrane sensors attached to the fabric surface. This design often has problems such as poor comfort, low integration and insufficient durability.

[0045] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention proposes a sensor fabric for use in smart clothing.

[0046] See also Figures 1 to 3 In one embodiment of the present invention, the sensing fabric 100 includes a fabric base 1 and a sensing yarn 3, and the sensing yarn 3 is embedded in the fabric base 1 in a knitting manner, and the knitting manner includes at least one of a double-layer knitting structure, a padding structure, and an interval floating thread weft insertion.

[0047] The fabric base 1 is made of elastic yarn, and the specific yarn material is not limited here.

[0048] A double-layer knitted structure consists of two warp systems, face and back, interwoven with two weft systems, respectively, resulting in an overlapping structure of upper and lower fabric layers. The face warp and back weft interweave to form the upper fabric layer, known as the face weave, while the back warp and back weft interweave to form the lower fabric layer, known as the back weave. The two fabric layers are connected into a single entity using various methods, including, but not limited to, alternating yarn binding: binding the back warp to the face weft (bottom to top), binding the back warp to the back weft (top to bottom), or combining both methods (combined binding); additional yarn binding: adding an additional warp or weft system to connect the two layers; and alternating yarn binding: binding the face and back warp or weft yarns by alternating their upper and lower positions. In this embodiment of the present invention, the sensor fabric 100 comprises two fabric layers, a fabric base 1 and a fixed fabric 2. The sensor yarn 3 is knitted into the space between the two fabric layers. This embedding method ensures that the sensor yarn 3 is firmly and stably embedded in the fabric base 1, ensuring the stable and reliable sensing function of the sensor fabric 100.

[0049] A padding weave is a fabric weave formed by alternating face yarn and padding yarn on knitting needles in a specific ratio. In this embodiment, the sensing yarn 3 serves as the padding yarn, while the yarn of the fabric base 1 (i.e., fabric yarn 1a) serves as the face yarn. During the weaving of the padding weave, the padding yarn is periodically placed in a specific ratio and sequence, forming open loops on certain loops of the fabric base 1, while remaining as floating yarns on the reverse side of the fabric base 1. The ground yarn forms the basic loop structure of the fabric base 1, maintaining its basic form and strength. The padding yarn adheres to the loop structure formed by the ground yarn, increasing the fabric's thickness and sensing function in the form of floating yarns and hanging loops. The padding ratio can be 1:1, with one padding yarn per ground yarn loop, or 1:2, with two padding yarns per ground yarn loop, or any other reasonable ratio, without limitation. The use of the padding tissue can firmly and stably embed the sensing yarn 3 into the fabric matrix 1, ensuring that the sensing function of the sensing fabric 100 is stable and reliable.

[0050] Interval float weft inlay combines sensing functionality with structural stability by arranging the inlay yarns in a specific pattern within the fabric base 1 as floats. During the weaving process, the inlay yarns do not participate in loop formation, but are instead sandwiched between the coil structures of the fabric base 1 as transverse floats. Through a specific threading path and weaving sequence, the inlay yarns are spaced a certain distance longitudinally or transversely across the fabric base 1 before being interwoven and secured to the coils. This knitting method not only securely and stably embeds the sensing yarns 3 into the fabric base 1, ensuring the stable and reliable sensing function of the sensor fabric 100, but also effectively avoids the problem of fabric stiffness caused by continuous weft inlay, which affects wearing comfort.

[0051] The sensor fabric 100 provided by the present invention embeds the sensor yarn 3 into the fabric base 1 through knitting, effectively reducing the fabric's thickness and significantly improving wearer comfort while also offering high integration and excellent durability. Furthermore, the knitting method utilizes at least one of a double-layer knit structure, a cushioning weave, and spaced-float weft inlay. These methods provide stable support and positioning for the sensor yarn 3 from different dimensions. The double-layer knit structure creates a three-dimensional interwoven network, the cushioning weave utilizes localized thickening and padding, and the spaced-float weft inlay utilizes a specific float arrangement. These methods all securely and stably embed the sensor yarn 3 into the fabric base 1, ensuring the stable and reliable sensing function of the sensor fabric 100.

[0052] Please refer again Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present invention, the sensing fabric 100 further includes a fixing fabric 2, which is connected to the surface layer of the fabric base 1 by knitting, and the fixing fabric 2 and the fabric base 1 enclose a fixed space; the sensing yarn 3 is passed through the fixed space and connected to the fabric base 1 and the fixing fabric 2 by knitting.

[0053] This embodiment of the present invention uses a double-layer knitted structure to embed the sensing yarn 3 into the fabric base 1. Specifically, a fixed fabric 2 is knitted onto the surface of the fabric base 1 at the location (i.e., the target location) where the sensing yarn 3 is to be embedded. The fixed fabric 2 can be rectangular or oval in shape, with its length consistent with the length of the sensing yarn 3 and its width greater than the radial dimension of the sensing yarn 3. The connection between the fixed fabric 2 and the fabric base 1 can be referred to in the above embodiment and will not be detailed here. That is, the fixed fabric 2 and the fabric base 1 are interconnected through coils to enclose a fixed space, and the sensing yarn 3 is passed through the fixed space and interwoven and fixed at multiple points with the fabric base 1 and the fixed fabric 2. On the one hand, the sensing yarn 3 passes through the coil array of the fabric base 1 in an orderly manner, and uses the base structure to provide basic support; on the other hand, it is woven and connected with the coils of the fixed fabric 2, and a stable three-dimensional grid structure is formed in the fixed space by interlacing up and down and interweaving warp and weft. This can ensure that the sensing yarn 3 is not easily displaced or deformed during use, thereby achieving stable and reliable sensing function and improving the durability of the sensing fabric 100, while also allowing the sensing fabric 100 to maintain a soft touch and improve wearing comfort.

[0054] The threading direction of the sensing yarn 3 is defined as a first direction, and the threading direction perpendicular to the sensing yarn 3 is defined as a second direction.

[0055] In an optional embodiment, the fixed space extends along the first direction.

[0056] In this embodiment of the present invention, the fixed space is designed to extend along the threading direction of the sensing yarn 3 (i.e., the first direction). This allows the fixed space to perfectly match the woven sensing yarn 3, providing a stable and continuous support space for the sensing yarn 3. This prevents the sensing yarn 3 from shifting, tangling, or twisting during use, ensuring that the sensing yarn 3 remains orderly arranged, thereby ensuring the overall structural stability of the sensing fabric 100. Furthermore, the fixed space extending along the threading direction of the sensing yarn 3 (i.e., the first direction) also allows the sensing yarn 3 to better fit the fabric base 1 and the fixed fabric 2, reducing friction and discomfort on the human skin and improving wearing comfort.

[0057] In an optional embodiment, the size of the fixed space along the threading direction perpendicular to the sensing yarn 3 (i.e., the first direction) is 0.15mm-0.25mm larger than the radial size of the sensing yarn (for example, 0.15mm, 0.18mm, 0.20mm, 0.22mm, 0.25mm and the interval between any two end point values).

[0058] In a specific embodiment, the sensing yarn 3 is cylindrical with a diameter of 0.2 mm. The fixed space is rectangular, the length direction of which is the threading direction of the sensing yarn 3 (ie, the first direction), and the width dimension is 0.4 mm.

[0059] Please refer to Figure 2 In some embodiments of the present invention, the fabric base 1 includes a plurality of line rows 11 arranged in parallel and connected along the second direction, each line row 11 includes a plurality of first coils 111 and a plurality of second coils 112, and the plurality of first coils 111 and the plurality of second coils 112 are arrayed along the first direction. In the first direction, the first coils 111 and the second coils 112 are staggered and loop-connected; the sensing yarn 3 is interspersed along the first direction at the loop connection between the first coil 111 and the second coil 112 in one of the line rows.

[0060] Specifically, a plurality of line rows 11 are arranged in parallel along the second direction to form a fabric matrix 1, and two adjacent line rows 11 are connected. Each line row 11 includes a plurality of first coils 111 and second coils 112 arranged in an array along the first direction. In the first direction, the first coils 111 and the second coils 112 are staggered and connected in a loop. The first coil 111 in one of the two adjacent line rows 11 and the second coil 112 in the other line row 11 are the same fabric yarn 1a, so that the connection between the two adjacent line rows 11 can be achieved. The sensing yarn 3 needs to be embedded in a specific position of the fabric matrix 1 to achieve the corresponding sensing performance. If the sensing yarn 3 is a stretch-sensing yarn, the specific location is a joint of the sensing fabric 100 (including but not limited to at least one of the trapezius muscle, shoulder, thorax, waist, elbow, knee, hip joint, and the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints of the fingers); if the sensing yarn 3 is a pressure-sensing yarn, the specific location is at least one of the chest, back, and soles of the feet of the sensing fabric 100. In specific operation, the sensing yarn 3 is woven into the loop connection between the first coil 111 and the second coil 112 in the row 11 corresponding to the specific location in the fabric base 1. In other words, the sensing yarn 3 is embedded in the fabric base 1 in a relatively gentle wavy pattern. This embodiment uses a padding structure to embed the sensing yarn 3 into the fabric base 1. This relatively gentle wavy embedding ensures uniform force on the sensing yarn 3, effectively preventing breakage of the sensing yarn 3 and ensuring the stability and reliability of the sensing signal.

[0061] Please refer to Figure 3 ,in, Figure 3 (a) and Figure 3(b) is a schematic diagram of two weaving methods of the sensing yarn in another embodiment of the sensing fabric. In some embodiments of the present application, the fabric base 1 comprises a plurality of line rows 11 arranged in parallel along the second direction and connected, each line row 11 comprising a plurality of first loops 111 and a plurality of second loops 112, the plurality of first loops 111 and the plurality of second loops 112 are arrayed along the first direction, and the first loops 111 and the second loops 112 are arranged alternately and connected in a loop in the first direction; the sensing yarn 3 is inserted into the connection between two adjacent line rows 11 along the first direction.

[0062] In this embodiment, the specific structure of the fabric base 1 can refer to the above-mentioned embodiments, which will not be repeated here. The sensing yarn 3 is woven into the fabric base 1 in a transverse float manner corresponding to a specific position and located at the connection between two adjacent line rows 11, which can be woven into the fabric base 1 by a specific threading path, which can be two up and two down (as shown in Figure 3 (a)) or two down and two up (as shown in Figure 3 (b)). The knitting method of interval float weft insertion not only can firmly and stably embed the sensing yarn 3 into the fabric base 1, ensure the stability and reliability of the sensing function of the sensing fabric 100, but also can effectively avoid the problem of hard fabric and affect the wearing comfort caused by continuous weft insertion.

[0063] It should be noted that the interval and the length of the float will affect the extensibility, air permeability and mechanical properties of the sensing fabric 100, and appropriate design of the length of the float and the interval distance can not only make the sensing fabric 100 have good extensibility and air permeability, but also enhance the stability and structural strength of the sensing fabric 100, and the specific design parameters can be determined according to the actual situation.

[0064] Please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments of the present application, the sensing fabric 100 further comprises a conductive yarn 4, the conductive yarn 4 is embedded in the fabric base 1 in a knitting manner, the sensing yarn 3 and the conductive yarn 4 are in contact and electrically conductive.

[0065] As shown in Figure 4 , the conductive yarn 4 is embedded in the fabric base 1 in a knitting manner, specifically, the conductive yarn 4 is inserted between adjacent loops along the loop structure of the fabric base 1, that is, the conductive yarn 4 is inserted from one loop on one side of the fabric base 1, and then is inserted from the other loop on the adjacent side, and so on, to form regular interlaced groups on the surface of the fabric base 1. Thus, the conductive yarn 4 can be closely combined with the fabric yarn 1a and stably integrated into the fabric base 1 structure, thereby ensuring the stability and reliability of signal transmission. At the same time, the conductive yarn 4 is embedded in the fabric base 1 in a knitting manner, which will not affect the softness and elasticity of the fabric base 1, and improve the wearing comfort.

[0066] like Figure 5 As shown, through knitting, the conductive yarns 4 are interwoven with the sensing yarns 3 in a regular pattern to achieve electrical conductivity. Specifically, the conductive yarns 4 are wrapped around the coil structure formed by the sensing yarns 3, interweaving and weaving together to tightly connect the two, creating an electrical signal transmission path and integrating the conductive and sensing functions. This connection method facilitates stable and efficient transmission of electrical signals within the fabric substrate 1, meeting the sensing functionality requirements of the sensor fabric 100.

[0067] It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the sensing yarn 3 of the present invention includes an elastic fiber core and an elastic conductive layer coated on the surface of the fiber core. That is, the sensing yarn 3 is a conductive fiber, wherein the material of the elastic fiber core includes but is not limited to one of spandex, silicone yarn, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, and high-elastic nylon, and the material of the elastic conductive layer includes an elastic material and a conductive material, wherein the elastic material includes but is not limited to polyurethane and thermoplastic elastomer, and the conductive material includes but is not limited to graphene, carbon nanotubes, conductive polymers, etc. Of course, in other embodiments, the sensing yarn 3 can also be a yarn of other structures or materials, as long as it can achieve the sensing function.

[0068] In some embodiments of the present invention, the connection between the sensing yarn 3 and the conductive yarn 4 is sealed and coated with a coating material with excellent water resistance and fatigue resistance to ensure the long-term use of the smart clothing. Examples of such coating materials include, but are not limited to, silicone coatings, polyurethane coatings, polytetrafluoroethylene coatings, and acrylate coatings.

[0069] The present invention also provides a method for preparing the sensor fabric 100, comprising the following steps:

[0070] Step S1, providing a fabric substrate 1 and a sensing yarn 3;

[0071] Step S2: embedding the sensing yarn 3 into the fabric matrix 1 by knitting, wherein the knitting method includes at least one of a double-layer knitting structure, a padding structure, and an interval floating thread weft insertion.

[0072] The material of the fabric base 1 and the specific structure and material of the sensing yarn 3 can refer to the above-mentioned embodiments, which will not be repeated here. The sensing yarn 3 is embedded in the fabric base 1 in a knitted manner to obtain the sensing fabric 100. The sensing fabric 100 obtained has a small thickness, a high integration of sensing camera, a better wearing comfort, and a good durability. The knitted manner adopts at least one of a double-layer knitted structure, a spacer stitch, and a spacer weft, so that the sensing yarn 3 can be stably supported and positioned in different dimensions during preparation. The double-layer knitted structure forms a three-dimensional interlaced network, the spacer stitch is filled and thickened locally, and the spacer weft is arranged by specific floats. These can firmly and stably embed the sensing yarn 3 in the fabric base 1, so as to ensure that the sensing fabric 100 obtained has a stable and reliable sensing function. Meanwhile, the method is simple to operate and has a low cost.

[0073] In some embodiments of the present application, the step S2 of embedding the sensing yarn 3 in the fabric base 1 in a knitted manner includes:

[0074] The step S21a provides a fixed fabric 2.

[0075] The step S22a connects the fixed fabric 2 to the surface layer of the fabric base 1 in a knitted manner, so that the fixed fabric 2 and the fabric base 1 form a fixed space.

[0076] The step S23a threads the sensing yarn 3 in the fixed space, and connects the sensing yarn 3 with the fabric base 1 and the fixed fabric 2 in a knitted manner.

[0077] The embodiment of the present application adopts a double-layer knitted structure to embed the sensing yarn 3 in the fixed space between the fabric base 1 and the fixed fabric 2 in a knitted manner. The knitted method is simple to operate, and can firmly and stably embed the sensing yarn 3 in the fabric base 1, so as to obtain the sensing fabric 100 with a stable and reliable sensing function. The specific shape and size of the fixed fabric 2 and the connection manner between the fixed fabric 2 and the fabric base 1 can refer to the above-mentioned embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0078] In some embodiments of the present application, the step S2 of embedding the sensing yarn 3 in the fabric base 1 in a knitted manner includes:

[0079] The step S21b weaves the sensing yarn 3 into the fabric base 1 at a loop ring connection in a row 11 of the fabric base 1.

[0080] Specifically, the sensing yarn 3 is woven into the loop connection between the first coil 111 and the second coil 112 in the row of wires 11 corresponding to a specific position in the fabric base 1. That is, the sensing yarn 3 is embedded in the fabric base 1 in a relatively gentle wave-like manner. In the embodiment of the present invention, the sensing yarn 3 is alternately embedded in the woven structure of the fabric base 1 as an embedded lining yarn. The operation is relatively simple, and the sensing yarn 3 is woven in a relatively gentle wave-like manner, which ensures the uniformity of the force on the sensing yarn 3, effectively prevents the sensing yarn 3 from breaking, and ensures the stability and reliability of the sensing signal. Among them, the specific structure of the fabric base 1 and the specific structure of the resulting sensing fabric 100 can be referred to the above embodiments and will not be described in detail here.

[0081] In some other embodiments of the present invention, step S2, the step of embedding the sensing yarn 3 into the fabric substrate 1 by knitting, includes:

[0082] Step S21c: weaving the sensing yarn 3 into the fabric base 1 at the connection between two adjacent rows of yarns 11 of the fabric base 1.

[0083] In the embodiment of the present invention, the sensing yarn 3 is woven into the fabric base 1 by a knitting method of intermittent floating weft insertion, that is, the sensing yarn 3 is embedded in the fabric base 1 in a transverse floating manner and corresponds to a specific position and is located at the connection between two adjacent rows of yarns 11. Specifically, the sensing yarn 3 can be woven into the fabric base 1 through a specific yarn threading path, which can be two up and two down (such as Figure 3 (a)) or two down and two up (as Figure 3 (b)). This method is simple to operate and can firmly and stably embed the sensing yarn 3 into the fabric base 1, thereby ensuring the stable and reliable sensing function of the sensing fabric 100. It also effectively avoids the problem of fabric stiffness caused by continuous weft insertion, which affects wearing comfort. The specific structure of the fabric base 1 and the resulting sensing fabric 100 can be referred to the above embodiment and will not be detailed here.

[0084] In some embodiments of the present invention, after step S2, the step of embedding the sensing yarn 3 into the fabric substrate 1 by knitting, the following steps are further included:

[0085] Step S3, providing a conductive yarn 4;

[0086] In step S31 , the conductive yarn 4 is embedded in the fabric substrate 1 by knitting, and the conductive yarn 4 is interwoven and in contact with the sensing yarn 3 .

[0087] In this embodiment of the present invention, conductive yarn 4 is knitted into fabric substrate 1. The conductive yarn 4 is looped around the coil structure formed by sensing yarn 3, interweaving and weaving the two together to create a tight connection, establishing an electrical signal transmission path and integrating the conductive and sensing functions. This connection method facilitates stable and efficient transmission of electrical signals within fabric substrate 1, meeting the sensing functionality requirements of sensing fabric 100. Furthermore, the knitting of the conductive yarn 4 into fabric substrate 1 does not affect the softness and elasticity of the fabric substrate 1, thereby enhancing wearing comfort.

[0088] Please refer to Figure 6 The present invention also provides a smart garment comprising a sensor fabric 100. The specific structure of the sensor fabric 100 is similar to that of the above-described embodiments. Since the present smart garment utilizes all of the technical solutions of all of the above-described embodiments, it at least possesses all of the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above-described embodiments, and therefore, a detailed description thereof will not be repeated here. The smart garment includes, but is not limited to, a top and bottom.

[0089] In some embodiments of the present invention, the smart clothing also includes a data processing module, which is electrically connected to the sensing fabric 100 and is used to collect the sensing signals detected by the sensing yarn 3 in the sensing fabric 100, or transmit the sensing signals detected by the sensing yarn 3 to an external device to achieve personalized health management, exercise evaluation and rehabilitation cycle guidance.

[0090] In some embodiments of the present invention, the sensing yarn 3 is a stretch sensing yarn, which is disposed at a joint portion of the sensing fabric 100 .

[0091] This embodiment of the present invention integrates stretch-sensing yarns at key locations in the smart garment (i.e., the joints of the sensor fabric 100), including but not limited to the trapezius muscles, shoulders, thorax, waist, elbows, knees, hip joints, and the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints of the fingers. These yarns are used to monitor changes in joint angle and stretch during movement. This distributed design effectively enhances the functional adaptability of the stretch-sensing yarns, meeting the requirements for precise detection in a variety of scenarios.

[0092] In some embodiments of the present invention, the sensing yarn 3 is a pressure sensing yarn, which is arranged on the chest, back and soles of the sensing fabric 100 .

[0093] This embodiment of the present invention integrates pressure-sensing yarns in key areas of the smart garment (i.e., the chest, back, and soles of the sensor fabric 100) to detect human posture pressure distribution, breathing rate, and gait characteristics. This distributed design effectively improves the functional adaptability of the pressure-sensing yarns, meeting the requirements for precise detection in a variety of scenarios.

[0094] In some embodiments, the pressure sensing yarn is composed of an electrode layer and a sensing layer, which are integrated into a fabric matrix in a cross-shaped manner. The electrode layer and the sensing layer are both yarn structures, that is, the working principle of the pressure sensing yarn is piezoresistive. When external pressure is applied to the sensing layer, the sensing layer will generate resistance changes or charges due to the force, which are then conducted out by the electrode layer.

[0095] Of course, in some other embodiments, the specific structural arrangement of the pressure sensing yarn may also adopt other reasonable structures, which are not limited here.

[0096] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformation made by utilizing the contents of the present invention's description and drawings under the technical concept of the present invention, or directly / indirectly applied in other related technical fields, is included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sensor fabric, characterized in that: The sensing fabric comprises a fabric base and sensing yarns, wherein the sensing yarns are embedded in the fabric base in a knitting manner, and the knitting manner is a double-layer knitting structure; The sensing fabric further includes a fixing fabric, which is knitted to the fabric base and needs to be embedded in the surface layer of the sensing yarn. The length of the fixing fabric is consistent with the length of the sensing yarn, and the fixing fabric and the fabric base enclose a fixed space. The sensing yarn is passed through the fixed space and connected to the fabric base and the fixed fabric in a knitting manner; The threading direction of the sensing yarn is defined as a first direction, and the fixed space extends along the first direction; The dimension of the fixed space perpendicular to the first direction is 0.15 mm to 0.25 mm larger than the radial dimension of the sensing yarn; The sensing fabric further comprises conductive yarns, which are embedded in the fabric matrix in a knitting manner, and the sensing yarns are interwoven with and in contact with the conductive yarns and are electrically conductive; The connection between the sensing yarn and the conductive yarn is coated with a sealing coating, and the coating material of the sealing coating has water resistance and fatigue resistance.

2. A method for preparing a sensor fabric, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: providing a fabric substrate and a sensing yarn; The sensing yarn is embedded in the fabric matrix by knitting, wherein the knitting is a double-layer knitting structure; The step of embedding the sensing yarn into the fabric matrix by knitting comprises: Provide a fixed fabric; The fixing fabric is connected to the surface layer of the fabric base by knitting, so that a fixed space is formed between the fixing fabric and the fabric base; The sensing yarn is passed through the fixed space, and the sensing yarn is connected to the fabric base and the fixed fabric by knitting; Wherein, the threading direction of the sensing yarn is defined as a first direction, and the fixed space extends along the first direction; The dimension of the fixed space perpendicular to the first direction is 0.15 mm to 0.25 mm larger than the radial dimension of the sensing yarn; After the step of embedding the sensing yarn into the fabric matrix by knitting, the method further comprises: providing conductive yarn; The conductive yarn is embedded in the fabric matrix by knitting, and the conductive yarn is interwoven with the sensing yarn. The connection between the sensing yarn and the conductive yarn is coated with a sealing coating, and the coating material of the sealing coating has water resistance and fatigue resistance.

3. A smart garment, characterized in that: The smart clothing is made of the sensor fabric according to claim 1, or is made of the sensor fabric prepared by the method for preparing the sensor fabric according to claim 2.

4. The smart clothing according to claim 3, wherein: The sensing yarn is a stretch sensing yarn, and the stretch sensing yarn is arranged at the joint part of the sensing fabric; and / or, The sensing yarn is a pressure sensing yarn, and the pressure sensing yarn is arranged on the chest, back and soles of the sensing fabric.

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