Fabric sensor and fabric sensor device

Abstract

To provide a fabric-like sensor capable of improving an output signal in use and hardly causing damage and breakage of a sensor element, and also to provide a fabric-like sensor device using the same.SOLUTION: In a fabric sensor S having a fabric substrate 1 and a linear sensor element 2, at least one linear cavity part 11 is provided inside the fabric substrate 1, and at least a part of the cavity part 11 is formed of the fabric having no elasticity in the line direction of the cavity part 11, Furthermore, the linear sensor element 2 is arranged within at least one cavity part 11 in a state being not substantially constrained or secured to the fabric substrate 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fabric sensor and a fabric sensor device for use in various detection devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Fabric-like sensors (sensors having a fabric-like shape) are used as surface pressure sensors or shape change sensors that are attached to target surfaces such as bedding and clothing to detect the presence or absence of contact or changes in shape. Conventionally, such fabric-like sensors have been known in which linear sensor elements are woven and integrated into fabric (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

[0003] However, in the above-mentioned conventional woven fabric sensor, not only was the linear sensor element restrained by the ground threads of the woven fabric, but the sensor element itself was also woven into the woven fabric, giving it a wavy shape. This caused a problem that when the woven fabric sensor was deformed, signals other than the desired electrical signal were significantly affected from the sensor element, resulting in a decrease in the output of the electrical signal.

[0004] In addition, in the conventional fabric sensor, the linear sensor element is exposed to the outside, and therefore the sensor element is easily damaged when a hard object comes into contact with the fabric sensor. In addition, if the fabric into which the linear sensor element is woven is made elastic, the sensor element bound by the ground yarn is subjected to a load in the tensile direction, which may cause the sensor element to break.

[0005] Meanwhile, in the field of decorative fabrics, a technique has been known in which a cavity is provided in the structure of a woven fabric and a decorative thread is inserted into the cavity (see Patent Document 4). However, this technique is only related to decorative fabrics to be attached to clothing, car seats, etc., and the application of this type of technique to a fabric-like sensor has not been known. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-203996 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2017-120885 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2018-173292 A [Patent Document 4] Patent No. 3006998 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention aims to solve the problems of the conventional technology described above, and in summary, to provide a fabric sensor that can improve the output signal during use and is less susceptible to damage or breakage of the sensor element, and a fabric sensor device using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In the above-mentioned conventional fabric-like sensor, in which a conventional sensor element is woven into woven fabric, + (positive) and - (negative) output signals are generated simultaneously within a narrow range due to local expansion and contraction of the sensor element constrained by the ground yarn, and there was a risk that these noise signals and the desired signal would cancel each other out as + and -, resulting in output loss.

[0009] Therefore, the inventor has provided a fabric sensor S having a fabric substrate 1 and a linear sensor element 2, in which at least one linear cavity 11 is provided inside the fabric substrate 1, and at least a part of the cavity 11 is made of a fabric that does not have stretchability in the linear direction of the cavity 11, and further arranged the linear sensor element 2 within at least one of the cavity 11 in a state where it is not substantially restrained or fixed to the fabric substrate 1 (see Figure 1).

[0010] Furthermore, in the present invention, by providing a plurality of the cavities 11 in the fabric substrate 1 and arranging the linear sensor elements 2 in all of the cavities 11, the detection accuracy of the fabric-like sensor S can be improved.

[0011] In addition, in the present invention, by configuring at least one of the linear sensor elements 2 as a piezoelectric sensor, the fabric-like sensor S can be suitably used as a surface pressure sensor or a shape change sensor.

[0012] In addition, in the present invention, the non-hollow portion of the woven fabric base material 1 is constructed from a single layer weave, and the hollow portion is formed from a double layer weave (bag weave) using the ground yarn of the single layer weave of this non-hollow portion, thereby making it possible to flatten the surface of the woven fabric sensor S.

[0013] In addition, in the present invention, by providing an elastomer material on at least one of the front and back surfaces of the portion of the fabric substrate 1 where the hollow portion 11 is formed, an anti-slip effect can be obtained when the fabric-like sensor S is placed on a target surface.

[0014] Furthermore, in the present invention, by incorporating the above-mentioned elastomer material as a part of the fabric constituting the fabric substrate 1, the surface of the fabric can be made flat.

[0015] In the present invention, the fabric-like sensor S can be connected to a signal processing device 3 to form a fabric-like sensor device. Effect of the Invention

[0016] In the present invention, a linear cavity is provided inside a fabric substrate, and a linear sensor element is disposed in the cavity without being bound or fixed to the fabric to form a fabric sensor. This prevents noise signals from being generated in the linear sensor element even when the fabric sensor is deformed during use, making it possible to output the desired electrical signal without loss. This also makes it possible to improve the detection accuracy of the fabric sensor.

[0017] In addition, the linear sensor element in the cavity of the fabric sensor of the present invention is covered with the fabric base material, and detection can be performed without contact with the target surface on which the fabric sensor is placed or with an object that deforms the fabric sensor, thereby preventing damage to the linear sensor element. Furthermore, by using a fabric that does not stretch in the linear direction of the cavity for the fabric base material, no load is applied to the linear sensor element in the tensile direction, and therefore breakage of the linear sensor element can be prevented. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of a fabric-like sensor according to a first embodiment and a second example of the present invention, as viewed from the front side. [Diagram 2] 2 is an enlarged view of the cross section taken along line XX for illustrating the cross-sectional state of the fabric-like sensor according to the first embodiment and the second example of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 3] 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view for explaining the cross-sectional state of a fabric-like sensor according to a modified example and a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view for explaining the cross-sectional state of a fabric-like sensor according to a modified example of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is an overall perspective view of a fabric-like sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the back side; [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an overall perspective view showing a fabric sensor device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a verification test of the effect of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a verification test of the effect of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a verification test of the effect of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] "First embodiment" The embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings in which the embodiments are specifically illustrated.

[0020] "Structure, usage and manufacturing method of fabric-like sensor" [1] Basic structure of fabric sensor The basic configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the fabric sensor S is configured by disposing a linear sensor element 2 in a hollow portion 11 of a belt-shaped fabric substrate 1 having a plurality of linear hollow portions 11 therein without being bound or fixed to the fabric substrate 1. The fabric substrate 1 is made of a fabric that does not have stretchability in the linear direction of the hollow portions 11 (the length direction of the belt-shaped fabric substrate 1), and three rows of hollow portions 11 are formed in the center and both ends of the fabric substrate 1. A piezoelectric sensor 21 is used as the linear sensor element 2 disposed in the hollow portion 11 in the center of the fabric substrate 1, and a capacitance-type displacement sensor 22 is used as the linear sensor element 2 disposed in the hollow portions 11 at both ends.

[0021] The above-mentioned "unconstrained or unfixed state" refers to a state in which the linear sensor element 2 is not constrained by crossing or entangling the ground thread or sewing thread of the fabric substrate 1 above and below the linear sensor element 2, or a state in which the linear sensor element 2 is not fixed to the fabric substrate 1 by adhesive or heat-sealing thread, and means a state in which the linear sensor element 2 is free at least in the linear direction of the cavity 11. However, this state may be a state in which the linear sensor element 2 is not substantially constrained or fixed, and includes, for example, a state in which the linear sensor element 2 is not constrained over most of the target surface (measurement surface) of the fabric-like sensor S, and a state in which a few places are locally fixed. In addition, it is preferable to arrange the linear sensor element 2 in a state in which there is a spatial margin in the cavity 11 (a state in which there is a movable space).

[0022] [2] How to use the fabric sensor Next, a method of using the fabric-like sensor S will be described. The fabric-like sensor S is placed on a flexible target surface, and a load is applied vertically to the target surface from above the fabric-like sensor S. At this time, the linear sensor element 2 receives the bending load and deforms to fit the target surface, generating electrical energy, which is output as an electrical signal to the end of the linear sensor element 2. The electrical signal output from the linear sensor element 2 is then input to a signal processing device connected to the fabric-like sensor S for calculation processing, thereby detecting the presence or absence of deformation of the target surface and the magnitude of the deformation.

[0023] In addition, in the above case, in the fabric sensor S of this embodiment, the linear sensor element 2 is arranged without being restrained or fixed to the fabric substrate 1, so that noise, offset, and attenuation of the electrical signal can be suppressed, thereby improving the output of the electrical signal and increasing the detection accuracy of the fabric sensor S. Furthermore, by using a fabric that does not have stretchability in the linear direction of the cavity 11 (in other words, in the length direction of the linear sensor element 2 arranged in the cavity 11) for the fabric substrate 1, even if a load is applied to the fabric substrate 1 in the linear direction of the cavity 11, the linear sensor element 2 is unlikely to receive a load in the tensile direction, and breakage, etc. can also be prevented.

[0024] [3] About fabric base material [3-1] Material Next, each component of the fabric-like sensor S will be described. First, regarding the material of the fabric substrate 1, a woven fabric is used in this embodiment, but knitted fabric or nonwoven fabric (including both wet nonwoven fabric and dry nonwoven fabric) can also be used. Regarding the ground yarn constituting the fabric substrate 1, a multifilament yarn of polyester fiber is used in this embodiment, but synthetic fibers such as nylon fiber or acrylic fiber, regenerated fibers such as rayon or cupra, natural fibers such as cotton or wool, or combinations of these can be used. In addition to the multifilament yarn, spun yarn or blended yarn can also be used. In addition, when nonwoven fabric is used for the fabric substrate 1, the same fiber material can be used.

[0025] In this embodiment, a non-stretchable fabric is used for the entire fabric substrate 1, but a non-stretchable fabric can be used for a part of the cavity 11. In this specification, the term "non-stretchable fabric" refers to a fabric having an elongation modulus of 5% or less in the B-1 method (constant load method) of JIS L 1096. In this embodiment, in order to suppress noise in the electrical signal, a fabric that does not stretch in the direction perpendicular to the linear direction of the cavity 11 (the width direction of the belt-shaped fabric substrate 1) is used for the fabric substrate 1, but a fabric that does not stretch only in the linear direction of the cavity 11 can be used.

[0026] [3-2]Organization In this embodiment, a plain weave structure is used for the fabric base material 1, but not only a plain weave structure but also a twill weave structure, a satin weave structure, or a woven structure consisting of these modified structures can be used for the fabric base material 1. When a knitted fabric is used for the fabric base material 1, the structure can be selected from a plain knit structure, a rib knit structure, a pearl knit structure, a weft knit structure consisting of these modified structures, or a tricot knit structure, a russell knit structure, a Milanese knit structure, or a warp knit structure consisting of these modified structures.

[0027] [3-3] Shape In this embodiment, a strip-shaped fabric is used for the fabric substrate 1 to perform accurate detection, but the shape of the fabric substrate 1 can be changed as appropriate to, for example, a wide sheet or a branched shape in accordance with the shape of the target surface and the detection range. As for the thickness of the fabric substrate 1, in this embodiment, it is formed to be 0.1 to 2.0 mm in order to ensure flexibility and tensile strength in the bending direction, but can be changed as appropriate depending on the magnitude of the load to be detected and the application.

[0028] [3-4] Cavity part In this embodiment, three rows of cavities 11 are formed in the center and both ends of the fabric substrate 1 as shown in Fig. 2, but the number and arrangement of the cavities 11 can be changed as appropriate, and only one cavity 11 can be formed as shown in Fig. 3. Regarding the linear shape of the cavity 11, it is formed linearly in this embodiment, but it can also be formed curvedly, or can be formed into a shape that combines straight lines and curves. Regarding the size of the cavity 11, it is sufficient that the cross-sectional area of ​​the cavity 11 is larger than the diameter of the linear sensor element 2 in the maximized state, but in order to facilitate the insertion of the linear sensor element 2, it is preferable that the maximized cross-sectional area of ​​the cavity 11 is 1.1 times or more and 1000 times or less than the cross-sectional area of ​​the linear sensor element 2.

[0029] [3-5] Method for forming hollow space As for the method of forming the hollow portion 11, in this embodiment, in order to flatten the fabric surface, the non-hollow portion of the fabric base material 1 is constructed from a single weave as shown in Fig. 2, and the hollow portion 11 is formed from a double weave (hollow weave) using the ground yarn of the single weave of this non-hollow portion, but for example, as shown in Fig. 4, the fabric base material 1 can be constructed from a multi-weave weave, and the portions where the layers are partially not connected can be formed as hollow portions 11. Also, when it is not necessary to flatten the fabric surface, hollow portions 11 can be formed by partially forming a hollow weave using a different yarn from the ground yarn of the fabric base material 1.

[0030] Other methods for forming the hollow portion 11 include a method in which, in woven, knitted or nonwoven fabric, a bag-shaped structure is formed on the surface of the fabric separately from the base structure, a method in which two pieces of fabric are bonded together with adhesive or heat fusion and the unbonded parts are formed as hollow portion 11, and a method in which two pieces of fabric are sewn together in the linear direction of hollow portion 11 and hollow portion 11 is formed between the sewn parts.

[0031] Also, when a knitted fabric is used instead of a woven fabric for the fabric substrate 1, the non-hollow portion of the fabric substrate 1 can be constructed from a single structure, and the hollow portion 11 can be formed from a double structure (bag structure) using the ground yarn of the single structure of this non-hollow portion. Alternatively, the fabric substrate 1 can be constructed from a multi-knit structure, and the hollow portion 11 can be formed in a portion where the layers are not connected in part. In this case, the fabric surface can be flattened in the same way as the hollow portion 11 of the woven structure. The fabric substrate 1 can also be constructed by connecting three or more layers of surface structures, or by laminating and integrating three or more fabrics, in which case multiple hollow portions 11 can be formed between different layers.

[0032] [3-6] Anti-slip part In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, a plate-shaped anti-slip portion 12 made of an elastomer material and having a horizontally elongated semi-elliptical cross-sectional shape is formed on the back side of the portion forming the hollow portion 11 of the fabric substrate 1. This makes it possible to suppress the displacement of the fabric substrate 1 even if a lateral force (parallel to the target surface) is applied when the fabric sensor S is placed on the target surface. In addition, since the anti-slip portion 12 uses an elastomer material that is flexible against a load in the bending direction, there is no need to worry about impairing the detection accuracy of the fabric sensor S. The thickness of the anti-slip portion 12 is preferably within a range of 0.1 to 5 mm in order to ensure flexibility in the bending direction.

[0033] Although silicone rubber is used as the elastomer material in this embodiment, thermoplastic elastomers such as polyolefin, polystyrene, vinyl chloride, polyurethane, and polyester can also be used, and thermosetting elastomers other than silicone rubber such as urethane rubber and fluororubber can also be used. Also, soft resins such as soft vinyl chloride resins that have been given flexibility with a plasticizer can be used as the elastomer material.

[0034] In this embodiment, the anti-slip portion 12 is formed only on the back surface of the fabric substrate 1, but it may be formed on the front surface or both the front and back surfaces. In this embodiment, by forming the plate-like anti-slip portion 12 to match the width of the cavity 11, the anti-slip portion 12 acts as a reinforcing material and can maintain the width of the cavity 11, so that deformation of the cavity 12 (for example, lifting of the surface layer due to shrinkage of the width of the cavity 11) can be suppressed and the linear sensor element 2 can be maintained in a sandwiched state between the front layer and the back layer forming the cavity 11.

[0035] In this embodiment, the non-slip portion 12 is formed in a plate shape, but it may be in the form of a dot, a line, a rod, or a sheet, as long as the elastomer material is integrated with the fabric substrate 1 while being exposed to the outside. The cross-sectional shape of the non-slip portion 12 may also be changed as appropriate. In this embodiment, the non-slip portion 12 is integrated with the fabric substrate 1 without an adhesive layer, but it may be integrated with an adhesive layer.

[0036] [3-7] Example of change to anti-slip part For the non-slip portion 12 of the fabric substrate 1, a rubber thread (elastic thread) using an elastomer material can also be used, in which case the non-slip effect can be obtained by incorporating the elastomer material as an insertion thread into the woven or knitted structure of the fabric substrate 1 and exposing the elastomer material to the outside of the front or back layer that constitutes the cavity 11. By providing the elastomer material as a part of the fabric that constitutes the fabric substrate 1 in this way, the back side of the fabric-like sensor S can be flattened, and the post-processing for forming the non-slip portion 12 can also be omitted.

[0037] [4] Linear sensor elements [4-1] Types of sensor elements As for the linear sensor element 2, in this embodiment, a wire-shaped piezoelectric element described in Japanese Patent No. 6501958 is used as the piezoelectric sensor 21, but polylactic acid piezoelectric fiber or other fibrous piezoelectric elements can also be used as the piezoelectric sensor 21. A copper wire used as a component of the capacitance type displacement sensor 22 is disposed in the cavity 11 of the fabric substrate 1. A sensor element other than the piezoelectric sensor 21 or the capacitance type displacement sensor 22 can also be used, for example, a strain wire sensor or a temperature sensor. However, it is preferable to use at least one piezoelectric sensor 21 in the linear sensor element 2.

[0038] [4-2] Sensor element arrangement In this embodiment, the linear sensor elements 2 are arranged in all of the cavities 11 formed in the fabric substrate 1 in order to improve detection accuracy, but it is sufficient to arrange the linear sensor elements 2 in at least one of the cavities 11 as necessary, and the linear sensor elements 2 may be arranged in some of the cavities 11 rather than in the entire cavities 11. A plurality of linear sensor elements 2 may be arranged in one cavity 11. The linear sensor elements 2 may have a smaller cross-sectional area than the maximized cross-sectional area of ​​the cavities 11.

[0039] "Manufacturing method for fabric-like sensors" Next, a method for manufacturing the above-mentioned fabric-like sensor S will be described. In this embodiment, when the fabric base material 1 is woven on a loom, the linear sensor element 2 is inserted into the position of the cavity 11 while the fabric base material 1 is woven. At this time, the cavity 11 of a predetermined size can be easily formed by adjusting the position and area of ​​the connective tissue of the front layer and back layer of the fabric base material 1. In addition, while the woven fabric base material is moved in the length direction on a conveyor, liquid or paste-like silicone rubber is dripped onto the back side and heated to harden, thereby forming the anti-slip portion 12 integrally with the fabric base material 1 without using an adhesive. This allows the fabric-like sensor S to be manufactured efficiently.

[0040] Furthermore, when a knitted fabric is used for the fabric substrate 1, the linear sensor element 2 can be inserted into the hollow portion 11 while knitting the fabric substrate 1 with a knitting machine, thereby efficiently manufacturing the fabric sensor S. Furthermore, when two layers of fabric such as woven fabric, knitted fabric, or nonwoven fabric are laminated or sewn together to form the fabric substrate 1, the fabric sensor S can be efficiently manufactured by laminating or sewing the layers together with the linear sensor element 2 disposed between the layers of fabric. On the other hand, the fabric sensor S can also be manufactured by first manufacturing the fabric substrate 1 and then inserting the linear sensor element 2 into the hollow portion 11.

[0041] Furthermore, the non-slip portion 12 of the fabric substrate 1 can be integrated by adhering an elastomer molded into a plate or rod shape to the front or back side of the fabric substrate 1 with an adhesive or the like, or when a thermoplastic elastomer is used, it can be integrated by heat fusion using a heat press or the like. When a rubber thread is used as the elastomer of the non-slip portion 12, it can be used as an insert thread when the fabric material is woven or knitted, and integrated with the fabric substrate.

[0042] "Modification of fabric-like sensor" In this embodiment, a configuration in which the linear sensor element 2 is disposed in at least one of the cavities 11 is disclosed, but a linear object other than the linear sensor element 2 may be disposed in the cavities 11 as long as the effect of the present invention is not impaired. Specific examples include resin or metal tubes, metal wires, optical fibers, magnetic cords, and the like. For example, in the case of a resin or metal tube, disposing the linear sensor element 2 inside the tube can improve the durability, water resistance, oil resistance, and the like of the fabric-like sensor by protecting the linear sensor element 2, and in the case of a metal wire, it is possible to impart shapeability to the fabric-like sensor.

[0043] "Second embodiment" "Structure and Applications of Fabric-Like Sensor Devices" [1] Basic structure of the fabric sensor device The basic configuration of this embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 6. In this embodiment, the fabric-like sensor S of the first embodiment is used, and a signal processing device 3 is connected to one end of the linear sensor element 2 of this fabric-like sensor S. As a result, when the fabric-like sensor S is deformed, the electrical signal output from the linear sensor element 2 to the signal processing device 3 can be subjected to signal amplification processing, filtering processing, signal conversion processing, etc. by analog signal processing or digital signal processing, so that a control signal corresponding to the electrical signal from the linear sensor element 2 can be output to the control unit of the external device. Note that the connection between the signal processing device 3 and the external device may be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0044] [2] Signal processing device In addition, the signal processing device 3 is equipped with an input section, a calculation processing section, a memory section and an output section, and the memory section is equipped with a signal processing program capable of processing electrical signals output from the piezoelectric sensor and the capacitive displacement sensor used as the linear sensor element 2. However, when a strain wire sensor, a temperature sensor, etc. is used as the linear sensor element 2, it is necessary to store a signal processing program corresponding to each type of sensor in the memory section.

[0045] [3] Applications of fabric sensors The above-mentioned fabric sensor S can be used as various commonly known sensors, for example, as a body position detection sensor such as a turning over detection sensor or a sitting sensor, a pressure sensor, a displacement sensor, a deformation sensor, a vibration sensor, a biosensor, an acceleration sensor, a contact sensor, an impact sensor, a security sensor, etc.

[0046] Also, objects to which the fabric-like sensor S is attached include, depending on the various sensors, bedding such as beds and futons, vehicle seats such as car seats and aircraft seats, seating furniture such as sofas and chairs, interior accessories such as cushions and cushions, linens such as towels and sheets, safety and disaster prevention products such as helmets and hoods, rugs such as carpets and mats, medical and sanitary products such as supports and masks, toys such as stuffed toys and rubber balls, building materials such as flooring and wall materials, various devices such as home appliances and industrial machines, etc. Also, the method of attaching the fabric-like sensor S may be simply to place it on the object, or it may be fixed to the object by sewing, pinching, adhesive tape, hook-and-loop fastener, etc. EXAMPLES

[0047] [Effectiveness verification test] Next, a demonstration test of the effect of the present invention will be described below. In this test, several types of fabric-like sensors using piezoelectric sensors as linear sensor elements were produced with different configurations, and the magnitude of the piezoelectric signal output when the fabric-like sensor was deformed was evaluated for each of these samples (Examples 1-2 and Comparative Examples 1-2 described below).

[0048] <Piezoelectric signal output evaluation test method> First, as preparation, as shown in Figure 7(A), a 30 cm long fabric-like sensor sample T is placed on the seat M of a chair, and the end of the sample T is connected to a signal processing device, which is then connected to an oscilloscope (Picoscope2204A, Pco Technology). This signal processing device amplifies the electrical signal by approximately 4000 times using an analog amplifier circuit, converts the amplified signal into a digital signal, and outputs it to the oscilloscope. The oscilloscope is also connected to a PC, and the generated output (mVp-p) of the measured piezoelectric signal is displayed on the monitor.

[0049] After completing the above preparations, place a 1kgf weight W on the center of sample T as shown in Figure 7(B), and immediately lift weight W away from sample T as shown in Figure 5(C). The change in piezoelectric signal output caused by the deformation of sample T at this time is measured with an oscilloscope. The piezoelectric signal output is also graphed and displayed on a computer monitor as shown in Figure 8, and the amplitude of the negative output voltage when weight W is placed on sample T and the positive output voltage when weight W is lifted is measured as the generated output (mVp-p).

[0050] "Example 1" In this embodiment, the fabric substrate 1 made of a plain weave structure with polyester yarn as the ground thread was formed into a strip shape with a width of 50 mm, a thickness of 1 mm, and a length of 30 cm, and one cavity 11 was provided in the center of the width direction of the fabric substrate 1, and a fabric-like sensor S was produced without providing a non-slip portion on the fabric surface (see FIG. 3). The non-hollow portion of the fabric substrate 1 was constructed of a single layer structure, and the cavity 11 was formed from a double layer structure using the ground thread of the single layer structure of this non-hollow portion. The width of the cavity 11 of the fabric substrate 1 (the width in a slit-like state before inserting the linear sensor element 2) was set to 5 mm, and a piezoelectric sensor 21 (wire-shaped piezoelectric element) with a diameter of 0.35 mm described in Japanese Patent No. 6501958 was inserted and arranged in this cavity 11. Then, when the output voltage of the piezoelectric signal was measured using the sample of this embodiment, the measured value was 1230 mVp-p.

[0051] "Example 2" In this example, a fabric substrate 1 made of a plain weave structure with polyester yarn as the ground yarn was formed into a strip shape with a width of 50 mm and a thickness of 1 mm, and three cavities 11 were provided at the center and both sides in the width direction of the fabric substrate 1 to fabricate a fabric-like sensor S (see FIG. 2). Furthermore, a plate-shaped non-slip portion 12 made of an elastomer material and having a horizontally elongated semi-elliptical cross-sectional shape was formed on the back surface of each of the cavities 11 of the fabric substrate 1. The non-hollow portions of the fabric substrate 1 were constructed of a single weave, and the cavities 11 were formed of a double weave using the ground yarn of the single weave of this non-hollow portion. Furthermore, the width of cavity 11 in fabric substrate 1 (width in a slit-like state before linear sensor element 2 is inserted) was set to 5 mm, and a piezoelectric sensor 21 (wire-shaped piezoelectric element) having a diameter of 0.35 mm as described in Japanese Patent No. 6501958 was inserted into cavity 11 at the center of fabric substrate 1, and copper wires for capacitive displacement sensors 22 having a diameter of 0.5 mm were inserted into cavities 11 at both ends of fabric substrate 1. When the output voltage of the piezoelectric signal was measured using the sample of this example, the measured value was 1221 mVp-p.

[0052] "Comparative Example 1" In this comparative example, the fabric base material 1, which is twill woven with spun cotton yarn as the ground yarn, is configured in a belt shape with a width of 25 mm and a thickness of 1 mm as shown in FIG. 9. A sewing thread for thick fabrics with a count of 30 (19.68 tex) is used as the upper thread of the sewing thread, and a piezoelectric sensor 21 (wire-shaped piezoelectric element) with a diameter of 0.35 mm described in Japanese Patent No. 6501958 is used as the lower thread as the linear sensor element 2. A zigzag stitch is performed in the length direction in the center of the fabric base material 1 (JANOME JP210M pattern number: 08), and a fabric-like sensor S is configured. The width of the stitch is 3.5 mm, and the roughness is 2.2 mm. The output voltage of the piezoelectric signal is measured using the sample of this comparative example, and the measured value is 63 mVp-p.

[0053] "Comparative Example 2" In this comparative example, the fabric substrate 1, which is twill woven with cotton spun yarn as the ground yarn, is configured in a belt shape with a width of 25 mm and a thickness of 1 mm as shown in FIG. 9. Sewing machine thread for thick fabrics with count 30 (19.68 tex) is used as the upper thread of the sewing machine thread, and a piezoelectric sensor 21 (wire-shaped piezoelectric element) with a diameter of 0.35 mm described in Patent No. 6501958 is used as the lower thread as the linear sensor element 2. Straight stitching is performed in the length direction in the center of the fabric (JANOME JP210M pattern number: 00), and a fabric-like sensor S is configured. The roughness is 1.5 mm. The output voltage of the piezoelectric signal is measured using the sample of this comparative example, and the measured value is 312 mVp-p.

[0054] <Summary of test results> The above test confirmed that the samples of Examples 1 and 2, in which the piezoelectric sensor was placed in the hollow portion of the fabric substrate, had a larger output voltage of the piezoelectric signal than the samples of Comparative Examples 1 and 2, in which the piezoelectric sensor was incorporated into the fabric as sewing thread. It was also confirmed that Example 2, which has an anti-slip portion, obtained an output equivalent to that of Example 1, which does not have an anti-slip portion. The test results are summarized in a table below. [Table 1] [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1 Fabric base material 11 Cavity 12 Anti-slip part 2 Linear sensor element 21 Piezoelectric Sensor 22 Capacitive displacement sensor 3. Signal Processing Device S Fabric Sensor D Fabric-like sensor device

Claims

1. A fabric substrate and a linear sensor element, The fabric substrate has at least one linear cavity therein, and at least a part of the cavity is made of a fabric that does not have stretchability in the linear direction of the cavity. The linear sensor element is disposed within the at least one cavity in a state where it is not substantially bound or fixed to the textile substrate; A fabric-like sensor, wherein the non-hollow portion of the fabric substrate is made of a single layer weave, and the hollow portion is formed from a double layer weave using ground yarn of the single layer weave of the non-hollow portion.

2. A fabric substrate and a linear sensor element, The fabric substrate has at least one linear cavity therein, and at least a part of the cavity is made of a fabric that does not have stretchability in the linear direction of the cavity. The linear sensor element is disposed within the at least one cavity in a state where it is not substantially bound or fixed to the textile substrate; A fabric-like sensor, wherein the non-hollow portion of the fabric substrate is made of a multi-woven or multi-knitted structure, and the hollow portion is formed by a portion where the layers are partially not connected to each other.

3. The fabric substrate has a plurality of the hollow portions, The fabric-like sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the linear sensor elements are disposed in all of the cavities.

4. 4. The fabric-like sensor according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the linear sensor elements is a piezoelectric sensor.

5. A fabric sensor device comprising a fabric sensor described in any one of claims 1 to 4 and a signal processing device.

6. A fabric substrate and a linear sensor element, The fabric substrate has at least one linear cavity therein, and at least a part of the cavity is made of a fabric that does not have stretchability in the linear direction of the cavity. The linear sensor element is disposed within the at least one cavity in a state where it is not substantially bound or fixed to the textile substrate; A fabric-like sensor having an elastomer material on at least one of the front and back surfaces of the fabric substrate where the hollow portion is formed, the elastomer material being part of the fabric that constitutes the fabric substrate.

7. A sensor comprising a fabric substrate and a linear sensor element, The fabric substrate has at least one linear cavity therein, and at least a part of the cavity is made of a fabric that does not have stretchability in the linear direction of the cavity. The linear sensor element is disposed in at least one of the cavities without being substantially bound or fixed to a fabric substrate, A method for manufacturing a fabric sensor, in which when weaving or knitting the fabric base material having a surface layer and a back layer that form the cavity with a loom or a knitting machine, the linear sensor element is inserted into the position of the cavity while weaving or knitting.

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