Tilt sensor and piece of fabric

Abstract

A tilt sensor is provided. The tilt sensor comprises at least one pair of electrodes knitted into a fabric, with a knitted first electrode and a knitted second electrode, a pocket area arranged between the knitted first electrode and the knitted second electrode, and a dielectric structure with a cavity into which a first fluid and a second fluid are introduced, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid have different densities and different relative permittivity, and wherein the cavity of the dielectric structure extends in a first region where the knitted first electrode and the knitted second electrode overlap, and in a second region where the knitted first electrode and the knitted second electrode do not overlap.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tilt sensor and a piece of textile.

[0002] Current sensor technology for determining the position (in terms of inclination) of a body or body part relies on conventional electronics such as inertial measurement units (IMUs), which are attached to or embedded in a garment (see, for example, Kang, S.-W. et al., 2017, https: / / dol.org / 10.3390 / s17112560, or Salehi, S. et al., 2013, ISBN 978-1-4799-2482-0, pp. 474-479). This typically occurs after the textile that will form the garment has been manufactured, making it a relatively complex process. This negatively impacts the garment manufacturing process, as it requires additional production steps and technical equipment.

[0003] In other examples, textile strain, bending, pressure or proximity sensors are used, from which inferences about body posture are indirectly drawn.

[0004] This can be done, for example, by systems that are positioned directly on or in the clothing at the body areas to be determined. For strain sensors, this has already been done for the knee area (see e.g. Li, Y. et al., 2019, https: / / doi.org / 10.1088 / 1361-665X / ab4afe), hand and shoulder area (see e.g. Tognetti, A. et al., 2007, https: / / doi.org / 10.1177 / 0142331207069487), and back area (see e.g. Garcia Patiño, A. et al., 2020, https: / / doi.org / 10.3390 / s20030905), for bend sensors for the shoulder and back area (see e.g. Sikilgar, D. et al., 2022, ISBN 978-0-7918-8571-0), and for pressure sensors for the buttocks area (see e.g. B. Meyer et al., 2010, https: / / doi.org / 10.1109 / JSEN.2009.2037330 or Skach et al., 2018, ISBN 9781450356923, pp. 116-124).

[0005] In other examples, systems can be used that are not part of the clothing, but on which pressure is exerted by parts of the human body through the respective posture, such as pillows (see e.g. Xu, W. et al., 2013, https: / / doi.org / 10.1109 / JSEN.2013.2259589, pp. 3926-3934) or sleeping mats (see e.g. Hudec, R. et al., 2020, https: / / doi.org / 10.3390 / s21010206), or where there is an approximation to a textile surface (see e.g. Nelson, A. et al., 2015, https: / / doi.org / 10.1109 / TMSCS.2015.2495100, pp. 62-75).

[0006] In another example, a textile (but not knit-based and -integrated) sensor (also called a "tilt sensor") is used to determine the tilt (see, e.g., kobakant: TILTSENSOR. https: / / www.kobakant.at / DIY / ?p=201, accessed on March 20, 2024). In this system, several conductive textile surfaces applied to a carrier textile are arranged around a freely suspended conductive bead. Depending on the tilt angle, the bead contacts one of the conductive surfaces and closes the corresponding circuit, from which the bead's position can be determined. This approach operates on the resistive principle.

[0007] A capacitive sensor with a similar arrangement is disclosed in US 9,316,481 B2.

[0008] Furthermore, EP 3 612 671 B1 discloses a flat-knitted capacitive or piezoresistive pressure sensor, DE 11 2019 006 423 T5 a knitted capacitive touch sensor, and DE 10 2012 103 856 B4 a knitted capacitive pressure sensor.

[0009] Further examples of tilt sensors in textile pieces are disclosed in US 2024 / 0 108 247 A1, DE 10 2008 025 236 A1, and DE 10 2018 214 780 A1.

[0010] The examples described above from the state of the art have the following disadvantages: IMUs cannot be integrated during the textile manufacturing process. Furthermore, wearing comfort can be reduced by hard, rigid electronics.

[0011] Textile strain and bending sensors require a change in length or bending, which limits the body parts that can be used with these sensors, and only the bending of body parts such as finger joints relative to each other can be detected, but not the inclination of the finger joints in space.

[0012] Textile pressure and proximity sensors for determining body posture or position of individual body areas do not determine the position or angle of inclination absolutely, but only relatively in relation to a reference object or body part, which necessitates a reference object or body part.

[0013] In the "Tilt Sensor" as well as the sensor of US 9,316,481 B2, the bead is centrally attached to a string between the applied electrode surfaces. This allows it to move freely within the length of the attachment, but also means that this free movement must not be restricted or obstructed in order to guarantee the sensor's functionality.

[0014] Firstly, this cannot be guaranteed for all parts of the body when integrating it into clothing (for example, the inner upper arm, which often lies against the side of the torso), and secondly, attaching the bead to the end of a loose string carries the risk of it getting caught on objects in the environment, which could damage the sensor.

[0015] In summary, no textile-based, flat-knitted sensor currently exists that allows for the determination of position (relative to an angle of inclination). This is of particular interest for integrating sensors into garments to determine posture or the position of body parts such as the torso, shoulders, and limbs.

[0016] In various embodiments, a textile-based sensor is used to detect tilt angles, also known as a tilt sensor. Compared to conventional electronics, the textile-based tilt sensor has the advantage of being integrable during the textile manufacturing process. Furthermore, it offers significantly improved wearing comfort for the wearer compared to hard and rigid electronic components.

[0017] Furthermore, the tilt sensor enables independent detection of the position or tilt of body areas in space, without requiring a reference to other body areas or objects.

[0018] According to various embodiments, one or more pairs of flat-knitted electrodes, arranged parallel to each other, are separated by a common dielectric structure (for example, a dielectric cushion). The electrodes are made of conductive yarn material and are electrically separated from each other by knitting techniques (for example, intarsia techniques) within a knitted multilayer structure.

[0019] A pocket is knitted between the electrode pairs, into which the dielectric structure is inserted during the manufacturing process. By using flat knitting technology, the tilt sensor can be integrated directly during the production of the garment.

[0020] In various embodiments, flat knitting technology enables the precise integration of the tilt sensor into a piece of textile, for example, a garment.

[0021] The dielectric structure comprises at least two liquid or gaseous dielectrics that exhibit the greatest possible difference in both their relative permittivity and their density. This density difference allows the two or more dielectrics to essentially separate from one another under the influence of gravity, with the denser dielectric predominantly located in the region of the dielectric structure pointing towards the Earth's center, while the less dense dielectric is predominantly located in the region pointing away from the Earth's center. The dielectric structure can thus behave similarly to a spirit level.

[0022] For example, filling the dielectric structure with water and an air bubble would be suitable.

[0023] The difference in relative permittivity makes it possible to electronically evaluate the gravity-induced distribution of the two or more dielectrics in the dielectric structure using electrodes that form a capacitive sensor.

[0024] To illustrate, in various embodiments, the dielectric structure and the electrodes can be arranged relative to each other such that the dielectrics are partially located in an overlap region of the two electrodes and partially in a non-overlap region. This allows different proportions of the two dielectrics to be located between the two electrodes, depending on the inclination of the dielectric structure: Depending on the position of the electrode surfaces or the dielectric structure, the contained air bubble (or more generally: the dielectric with the lower density) moves upwards within the structure due to gravity. Because of the large difference in the relative permittivity of the two dielectrics, the measured capacitance of the electrode pair (or, in the case of multiple electrode pairs, the capacitance of several or all of the individual electrode pairs) also changes with the position of the air bubble.By determining the capacitance of the electrode pair(s) and the change in capacitance, it is possible to determine the inclination angle of the corresponding body part in space and to detect changes in the position of the body part.

[0025] This means that a flat-stitched, textile-based capacitive tilt sensor is provided.

[0026] In various embodiments, compared to conventional IMUs, the textile-based knitting design of the tilt sensor simplifies manufacturing and integration into garments and increases wearing comfort.

[0027] Furthermore, in various embodiments, compared to prior art textile-based sensors, the positioning of body parts in space can be improved or, in some cases, made possible in the first place.

[0028] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures and are explained in more detail below.

[0029] They show Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B a schematic exploded view of a tilt sensor according to various embodiments; Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C Schematic exploded views of a tilt sensor according to various embodiments at different tilt angles and from different viewing directions; Fig. 2D and Fig. 2E Schematic cross-sectional views of a tilt sensor according to various embodiments at different tilt angles; Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B Schematic perspective representations of a dielectric structure for use in a tilt sensor according to various embodiments; Fig. Figures 4A to 4C illustrate a method for manufacturing a tilt sensor according to various embodiments; Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a piece of textile according to various embodiments; and Fig. 6 a schematic representation of a textile piece system that incorporates an inclination sensor according to various embodiments.

[0030] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, which form part thereof and illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention can be implemented. In this context, directional terminology such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "anterior," "rear," etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the described figure(s). Since components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology serves only for illustration and is in no way limiting. It is understood that other embodiments may be used and structural or logical modifications may be made without deviating from the scope of protection of the present invention.It is understood that the features of the various exemplary embodiments described herein can be combined with one another, unless specifically stated otherwise. The following detailed description is therefore not to be interpreted in a limiting sense, and the scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0031] Within the scope of this description, the terms "connected," "attached," and "coupled" are used to describe both direct and indirect connections, direct or indirect links, and direct or indirect couplings. In the figures, identical or similar elements are labeled with identical reference symbols where appropriate.

[0032] In this description, a horizontal arrangement of a planar structure (for example, the tilt sensor or the dielectric structure) refers to an arrangement in which a principal plane of the planar structure is oriented perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity. In a vertical arrangement, the principal plane runs parallel or substantially parallel to the direction of gravity.

[0033] Fig. 1A and Fig. Figure 1B shows a schematic exploded view of a tilt sensor 100 according to various embodiments, Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. Figure 2C shows schematic exploded views of an inclination sensor 100 according to various embodiments at different inclination angles and from different viewing directions, and Fig. 2D and Fig. Figure 2E shows schematic cross-sectional views of an inclination sensor 100 according to various embodiments at different inclination angles.

[0034] The tilt sensor 100 has at least one pair of electrodes 101, 102 knitted into a fabric, with a first electrode 101 and a second electrode 102 being knitted into the fabric. The at least one pair of electrodes 101, 102 can have or consist of electrically conductive knitted stitches 101L for the first electrode 101, and electrically conductive knitted stitches 102L for the second electrode 102.

[0035] The examples of implementation from Fig. 1A and Fig. Figure 1B shows exemplary tilt sensors 100, each having only one electrode pair 101, 102.

[0036] The first electrode 101 and the second electrode 102 can each be surrounded – apart from connecting lines 130, of which only individual meshes are indicated and whose further course up to a capacitance measuring device M is schematically indicated – by electrically non-conductive areas 120, which have or may consist of electrically non-conductive meshes 120N. This allows the first electrode 101 and the second electrode 102 to be electrically insulated from their surroundings, for example, from a remaining piece of textile.

[0037] The electrode pair 101, 102 of the exemplary embodiment from Fig. 1A is fully formed.

[0038] The first electrode 101 and the second electrode 102 of the electrode pair 101, 102 of the exemplary embodiment from Fig. 1B each have openings or recesses in which, instead of electrically conductive meshes 101L or 102L, electrically non-conductive meshes 120N are arranged, so that the respective electrode 101, 102 is not formed at this point.

[0039] In the exemplary explanations from Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C has at least one more electrode pair than 101, 102, namely four electrode pairs each: 101A / 102A, 101B / 102B, 101C / 102C and 101D / 102D (for clarity, these are only shown in Fig. (2A is labelled in detail). The number of four electrode pairs 101A / 102A, 101B / 102B, 101C / 102C and 101D / 102D is to be understood as an example. When providing a plurality of electrode pairs 101, 102 in the tilt sensor 100, any practical number of electrode pairs 101, 102 can be used, for example two, three, four, five, etc.

[0040] Each of the electrode pairs 101, 102 can be configured for individual determination of its capacitance. For example, each of the electrode pairs 101, 102 can be connected by means of connecting lines 130 to its own capacitance measuring device M1, M2, M3 or M4 (see e.g. Fig. 2A.

[0041] Fig. 4A to Fig. Figure 4C illustrates a method for manufacturing an inclination sensor 100 according to various embodiments, for example, an inclination sensor 100 according to one of the in Fig. 1A to Fig. 2E shown examples of implementation.

[0042] The tilt sensor 100 further comprises a pocket area 440 arranged between the knitted-in first electrode 101 and the knitted-in second electrode 102 (see e.g. Fig. 4A) and a dielectric structure 110 with a cavity into which a first fluid 112 and a second fluid 114 are introduced.

[0043] The first fluid 112 and the second fluid 114 have different densities and different relative permittivity ε. r (also known as permittivity or dielectric constant).

[0044] The density of the first fluid 112 and the second fluid 114 can differ, for example, by a factor of at least 5, or by a factor of at least 10. If the first fluid 112 and the second fluid 114 are two liquids that are not mutually soluble (e.g., the first fluid 112 is a polar liquid and the second fluid 114 is a nonpolar liquid), even smaller density differences may be sufficient to separate the first fluid 112 and the second fluid 114 into two phases, which, following the force of gravity, are arranged such that the denser of the two fluids 112, 114 is at the bottom and the less dense of the two fluids 112, 114 is at the top. For example, a density difference of a factor of 1.05 or 1.1 may already be sufficient to achieve such an effect.For example, it is known from everyday experience that water and cooking oil, when mixed, form separate phases after a short time, with the oil floating on the water, even though the density of the cooking oil is about 0.92 g / cm³. 3 approximately 92% of that of water.

[0045] The relative permittivity of the first fluid 112 and the second fluid 114 can differ, for example, by at least a factor of 1.5, at least a factor of 2, at least a factor of 3, or more. In the case of a strong dependence of the relative permittivity ε r The temperature and / or frequency of the fluids used 112, 114 can be chosen such that their relative permittivity ε r differs by the stated order of magnitude at the intended application temperature and frequency.

[0046] Designs in which the first fluid 112 is a liquid and the second fluid 114 is a gas can be easily manufactured, harmless / nontoxic and functional for realizing embodiments, for example with water and / or glycerin and / or ethanol (with relative permittivities in a range of about 20 to about 80) as the first fluid 112 and air, nitrogen and / or carbon dioxide (with relative permittivities greater than 1.0 but less than about 1.1) as the second fluid 114.

[0047] Combinations of two liquids can also be easily produced and functional for realizing exemplary embodiments, for example the combination of water and cooking oil mentioned above, or of glycerin and cooking oil.

[0048] Combinations of gases with different densities can also be used in exemplary embodiments, provided, for example, that the electrodes 101, 102 and the measuring device M are set up to detect the capacity differences caused by relatively small differences in the permittivity of the two gaseous fluids 112, 114.

[0049] The combination of the first fluid 112 with the second fluid 114 can be carried out in various embodiments based on additional criteria, for example, as already mentioned, on whether the fluids 112 and 114 are non-toxic and / or on viscosity, which can affect the reaction rate of the tilt sensor 100. For example, a tilt sensor 100 containing ethanol as the first fluid 112 and air as the second fluid can rearrange itself more quickly as a result of a change in position than, for example, a combination of glycerin as the first fluid 112 and air as the second fluid 114, and both of these in turn faster than a combination of water as the first fluid 112 and cooking oil as the second fluid 114.Taking this into account, if a rapid detection of changes in tilt angle is desired, the first of the aforementioned exemplary combinations (or a similar one) can be chosen, if a rather sluggish reaction is desired, the third of the aforementioned exemplary combinations (or a similar one), and if a medium-fast reaction is desired, the second aforementioned exemplary combination (or a similar one).

[0050] Fig. 3A and Fig. Figure 3B shows schematic perspective representations of the dielectric structure 110 and illustrates a reaction of the first fluid 112 and the second fluid 114 to changes in position involving a change in the angle of inclination: the less dense second fluid 114 is centrally located when the dielectric structure 110 is arranged horizontally and migrates upwards when the dielectric structure 110 is inclined.

[0051] Although the dielectric structure 110 is schematically represented as a cuboid in the figures, in various embodiments the main surfaces of the dielectric structure 110 can be slightly convex, for example to ensure the central position of the second fluid 114 in a horizontal arrangement.

[0052] The cavity of the dielectric structure 110 can extend in a first region where the knitted first electrode 101 and the knitted second electrode 102 overlap, as well as in a second region where the knitted first electrode 101 and the knitted second electrode 102 do not overlap.

[0053] A capacitance measurement, for example, using the (at least one) capacitance measuring device M, measures a capacitance between overlapping areas of the first electrode 101 and the second electrode 102. A change in capacitance by changing a permittivity of the area between the overlapping areas of the first electrode 101 and the second electrode 102 may therefore require that the change in inclination of the tilt sensor 100 causes the ratio of first fluid 112 to second fluid 114 in the overlap area to change.

[0054] This can be achieved, for example, by ensuring that the cavity containing the first fluid 112 and the second fluid 114 is not only located in the overlap area, but also extends to an area where the first electrode 112 and the second electrode 114 do not overlap.

[0055] According to exemplary embodiments, the dielectric structure 110 can extend beyond a boundary region of the first electrode 101 and / or the second electrode 102 (see e.g. Fig. 1A). This can, for example, make it possible to distinguish between a horizontal arrangement (the second fluid 114 is arranged more or less centrally) and a non-horizontal arrangement (the second fluid 114 is located in one of the edge regions of the dielectric structure 110). This is exemplified in the cross-sectional views of the Fig. 2D and Fig. 2E illustrated.

[0056] According to exemplary embodiments, the first electrode 101 and / or the second electrode 102 can be formed as knitted surfaces interrupted by non-conductive areas. For example, meshes 120N of electrically insulating material can be knitted within the outer circumference of the electrodes 101, 102. This is exemplified in Fig. 1B indicated. An arrangement of the non-conductive areas can be designed such that a measured capacitance allows a unique assignment to the position of the second fluid in the dielectric structure 110 and thus to an inclination angle of the tilt sensor 110.

[0057] According to exemplary embodiments, the at least one electrode pair 101, 102 can comprise a plurality of electrode pairs 101, 102 separated from one another by non-conductive knitted regions, and the dielectric structure 110 can extend between the plurality of electrode pairs 101, 102. This is exemplified in Fig. 2A to Fig. 2E and Fig. 4A to Fig. 4C is shown. This means that with a horizontal arrangement of the tilt sensor 100 (see Fig. 2B) the second fluid 114 can be arranged centrally in the dielectric structure 110 and thus, for example, can equally influence a permittivity of the (in this example four) electrode pairs 101, 102, whereas an inclination of the tilt sensor (see e.g. Fig. 2C) results in the second fluid 114 only influencing a permittivity between some (the upper) of the electrode pairs 101, 102.

[0058] By varying the number of electrode pairs 101, 102 and / or the geometric design of each of the knitted electrodes 101 or 102, the resolution of the determined inclination angle achievable with the tilt sensor 100 can be adjusted. A larger number of electrode pairs 101, 102 and a finer structuring of the electrode surface enable a higher spatial or angular resolution.

[0059] In Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B and Fig. Figure 4C illustrates how the tilt sensor 100 can be manufactured according to various embodiments.

[0060] A knitted fabric can, for example, be part of a textile piece 500, which is exemplified in Fig. As shown in section 5, the pieces can be formed by knitting. One knitting direction is indicated in the diagram. Fig. 4A is indicated by an arrow.

[0061] It should be noted that the knitting in Fig. 5. For example, it could be a sweater, shirt, or jacket of any kind. For example, the knitted garment could be a sweater that fits snugly against the wearer's body or a close-fitting shirt. The electrodes could also be (in Fig. 5 not shown) on the sleeves of a knitted garment, for example a sweater, a shirt, or a jacket.

[0062] Outside of the electrodes 101, 102, the knitted fabric can have electrically insulating areas 120. There, the knitted fabric can, for example, be knitted in a flat knitting style using an electrically insulating yarn.

[0063] The pocket area 440 can be formed as a two-layer knitted fabric, with the two knitted layers forming an opening 442 that is initially open in the direction of knitting.

[0064] In part of the pocket area 440, the first electrode 101 and the second electrode 102 can be knitted.

[0065] For knitting the electrodes 101, 102, a yarn that is electrically conductive at least in parts of its cross-section (optionally over the entire cross-section) can be used.

[0066] The electrically conductive elements (e.g., the electrically conductive coating of the yarn(s)) are provided on the outer surface of the yarn(s) in various embodiments. Alternatively or additionally, an electrically conductive yarn can be used that is only electrically conductive in parts of its cross-section. Furthermore, the electrically conductive yarn can optionally comprise or be an electrically conductive fiber, for example, a wire, which may be surrounded by electrically insulating fibers.

[0067] An electrically conductive yarn can be, for example, a polymer-based yarn coated with an electrically conductive layer, or a natural fiber coated with an electrically conductive layer, such as a silver-coated or copper-coated polyamide yarn. Alternatively or additionally, an electrically conductive yarn can be a yarn into which electrically conductive particles, such as metal particles, are incorporated (e.g., by dispersing metal particles into the spinning mass during yarn production), or alternatively or additionally, a fiber made of an electrically conductive material, such as a metal fiber.

[0068] According to various embodiments, the connecting lines 130 can also be knitted and led to a measuring device M, to which they can be connected. The measuring device M can be miniaturized and, for example, encapsulated in a waterproof manner to allow the textile piece 500, including the tilt sensor 100, to be washed.

[0069] Measuring the capacitance of a capacitor formed from the first knitted electrode 101 and the second knitted electrode can be carried out in a substantially known manner. When providing a plurality of electrode pairs 101, 102, the capacitance of each of the electrode pairs 101, 102 can be measured separately (e.g., by means of a separate measuring device M for each pair or, for example, by means of a single measuring device M using multiplexing).

[0070] In various embodiments, the first electrode 101 and the second electrode 102 can be formed using an intarsia technique, which is used in the prior art for multi-colored knitting. In the intarsia technique, each color area is knitted individually like an inlay.

[0071] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4B, the dielectric structure 110 is inserted into the opening 442 of the pocket 440 between the first electrode 101 and the second electrode 102, forming a dielectric for the capacitor formed by the first electrode 101 and the second electrode. The dimensions of the dielectric structure 110 and the opening 442 can be matched so that the dielectric structure 110 fits into the pocket 440, but the pocket 440 is not significantly larger than the dielectric structure 110. The dielectric structure 110 can be made as flat as technically practical to create a sensor that is as flat as possible and has little or no protrusion.

[0072] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4C, after the dielectric structure 110 is inserted into the pocket 440, the two layers of the two-layer knitted fabric can be joined together again to form a single-layer knitted fabric during further knitting.

[0073] Dividing a single-layer knitted fabric into a two-layer knitted fabric and rejoining the two-layer knitted fabric to form a single-layer knitted fabric can essentially be carried out in the same way as is known in knitting techniques.

[0074] The knitting can then be continued again, e.g. across the entire width, using flat knitting techniques in the direction of knitting, for example to complete the textile piece 500.

[0075] Fig. Figure 5 shows a textile piece 500 according to various embodiments, which includes an inclination sensor 100 according to various embodiments. The textile piece 500 can have a knitted fabric 550 (e.g., shaped like a sweater) into which the inclination sensor 100 is knitted, wherein, as described above, the at least one electrode pair 101, 102 can be knitted, and the dielectric structure 110 is inserted into the pocket 442 formed by the first electrode 101 and the second electrode 102.

[0076] In the exemplary embodiment from Fig. Figure 5 shows only one tilt sensor 100. It should be understood that any number of tilt sensors 100 can be arranged in the textile piece 500, for example, tilt sensors 100 that detect different body parts and / or areas of the body that are arranged at an angle to each other (e.g., shoulders and abdomen / back).

[0077] Fig. Figure 6 shows a textile piece system 600, which includes an inclination sensor 100 and a capacitance measuring device M (which together can be referred to as an inclination sensor device 660), which can be arranged in / on a knitted fabric 550 of a textile piece 500.

[0078] Furthermore, the textile piece system 600 can include a processor P. The processor P can be configured in various embodiments, such as, for example, in Fig. Figure 6 shows that the processor P is located outside the knitted fabric 550. For example, the processor P can be wirelessly connected to the capacitance measuring device M and receive capacitance measurements from it. It should be noted that the processor P is optional. The functionality of the processor P can also be implemented by means of logic located outside the knitted fabric that is directly connected to the measuring device M.

[0079] In various embodiments, the processor P can be connected to the capacitance measuring device M by means of a wired connection and / or be attached in or to the knitted fabric 550.

[0080] According to various embodiments, the processor P can, for example, be part of a smartphone or other portable data processing device, such as a smartwatch, a smart ring, or similar.

[0081] The processor P can be configured to process the capacitance measurements of the capacitances of the at least one electrode pair provided by the capacitance measuring device M and to perform or initiate an action based on a result of the processing.

[0082] For example, the processor P can be configured for position and / or motion pattern recognition.

[0083] For example, a detected movement pattern can be used to initiate and / or authorize functions, such as opening an electronically controlled door, for body-related computer games, etc.; position detection can be used, for example, for an alarm function if a prolonged horizontal position is detected that is not expected when wearing the textile item 500, or similar.

[0084] The processor P can be configured for the described and other functions, for example, using an app or other software.

[0085] The following are some examples that relate to what is described herein and depicted in the figures.

[0086] Example 1 is a tilt sensor. The tilt sensor comprises at least one pair of electrodes knitted into a fabric, with a knitted first electrode and a knitted second electrode, a pocket region arranged between the knitted first electrode and the knitted second electrode, and a dielectric structure with a cavity into which a first fluid and a second fluid are introduced, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid have different densities and different relative permittivity, and wherein the cavity of the dielectric structure extends in a first region where the knitted first electrode and the knitted second electrode overlap, and in a second region where the knitted first electrode and the knitted second electrode do not overlap.

[0087] In Example 2, the tilt sensor according to Example 1 can further have the pocket area formed by the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0088] In Example 3, the tilt sensor according to Example 1 can further have the pocket area formed by a knitted pocket.

[0089] In Example 4, the tilt sensor according to one of Examples 1 to 3 may further include the first fluid and / or the second fluid containing a gas.

[0090] In Example 5, the tilt sensor according to one of Examples 1 to 4 may further include the first fluid and / or the second fluid being a liquid.

[0091] In Example 6, the tilt sensor according to one of Examples 1 to 5 may further have that the first fluid is a liquid and that the second fluid is a gas.

[0092] In Example 7, the tilt sensor according to one of Examples 1 to 6 may further have the first fluid being water and the second fluid being air.

[0093] In Example 8, the tilt sensor according to one of Examples 1 to 7 may further have the first fluid and the second fluid arranged in the cavity such that a change in the spatial position of the dielectric structure causes a change in the position of the first fluid relative to the second fluid.

[0094] In Example 9, the tilt sensor according to one of Examples 1 to 8 may further have the first knitted electrode and / or the second knitted electrode having / has electrically conductive yarn material.

[0095] In Example 10, the tilt sensor according to one of Examples 1 to 9 may further have the first knitted electrode and the second knitted electrode formed by means of intarsia technique.

[0096] In Example 11, the tilt sensor according to one of Examples 1 to 10 can further have the first knitted electrode and the second knitted electrode being electrically insulated from each other by means of knitted electrically insulating protective meshes, preferably formed of electrically insulating threads.

[0097] In Example 12, the tilt sensor according to Example 11 can further have the knitted electrically insulating protective meshes running in the stitch row direction or stitch stitch direction and surrounding the first knitted electrode and / or the second knitted electrode.

[0098] In Example 13, the tilt sensor according to one of Examples 1 to 12 may further have the pocket area formed by knitting between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0099] In Example 14, the tilt sensor according to one of Examples 1 to 13 may further have the first electrode and the second electrode manufactured using flat knitting technology.

[0100] In Example 15, the tilt sensor according to one of Examples 1 to 14 may further include the fact that the at least one knitted electrode pair has several knitted electrode pairs, each knitted electrode pair having an associated knitted first electrode and an associated knitted second electrode.

[0101] In Example 16, the tilt sensor according to Example 15 may further have the cavity extending between the multiple knitted electrode pairs.

[0102] In Example 17, the tilt sensor according to one of Examples 1 to 16 may further have that the cavity has an inner surface which forms several cavity segments.

[0103] Example 18 is a piece of textile which has a tilt sensor according to one of Examples 1 to 17.

[0104] In Example 19, the piece of textile can be set up as a garment according to Example 18.

Claims

[1] Inclination sensor, comprising: • at least one pair of electrodes knitted into a knitted fabric, with a knitted-in first electrode and a knitted-in second electrode; • a pocket area arranged between the knitted-in first electrode and the knitted-in second electrode; and • a dielectric structure with a cavity into which a first fluid and a second fluid are introduced, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid have different densities and different relative permittivity; • wherein the cavity of the dielectric structure extends into a first region where the knitted-in first electrode and the knitted-in second electrode overlap, and into a second region where the knitted-in first electrode and the knitted-in second electrode do not overlap. [2] Tilt sensor according to claim 1, wherein the pocket area is formed by the first electrode and the second electrode. [3] Tilt sensor according to claim 1, wherein the pocket area is formed by a knitted pocket. [4] Tilt sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first fluid and / or the second fluid comprises a gas. [5] Tilt sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first fluid and / or the second fluid is a liquid. [6] Tilt sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 5, • where the first fluid is a liquid; and • where the second fluid is a gas. [7] Tilt sensor according to claim 6, • where the first fluid is water; and • where the second fluid is air. [8] Tilt sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are arranged in the cavity such that a change in the spatial position of the dielectric structure causes a change in the position of the first fluid relative to the second fluid. [9] Tilt sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first knitted electrode and / or the second knitted electrode has / has electrically conductive yarn material. [10] Tilt sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first knitted electrode and the second knitted electrode are formed by intarsia technique. [11] Tilt sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first knitted electrode and the second knitted electrode are electrically insulated from each other by means of knitted electrically insulating protective meshes, preferably formed of electrically insulating threads. [12] Tilt sensor according to claim 11, wherein the knitted electrically insulating protective meshes run in the stitch row direction or stitch bar direction and surround the first knitted electrode and / or the second knitted electrode [13] Tilt sensor according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the pocket area is formed by knitting between the first electrode and the second electrode. [14] Tilt sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are manufactured using flat knitting technology. [15] Tilt sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the at least one knitted electrode pair comprises several knitted electrode pairs, each knitted electrode pair comprising an associated knitted first electrode and an associated knitted second electrode. [16] Tilt sensor according to claim 15, wherein the cavity extends between the multiple knitted electrode pairs. [17] Tilt sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the cavity has an inner surface which forms several cavity segments. [18] piece of textile, comprising: a tilt sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 17. [19] Textile piece according to claim 18, arranged as a garment.

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