Conducting Textile Yarns for Bed Movement Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for detecting movement and presence on supporting surfaces, such as beds, are complex and lack reliable integration of conducting textile dispositions, failing to measure variations in electrical conductivity effectively.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing conducting textile yarns with metallic particles that vary conductivity upon stretching, integrated with a control device to measure and analyze electrical parameters, allowing detection of load variations and individual presence/movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pressure-operated electrical switches or parallel conducting strips are used, then movement detection function is provided, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring reliabilityVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the support function and sensing function into a single integrated textile structure. The conducting textile yarns are woven directly into the support fabric, eliminating the need for separate sensor assemblies and complex mechanical switch dispositions. This merging of functions reduces device complexity while improving reliability through seamless integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The textile support structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the individual and acts as the sensing element for movement detection. The conducting yarns embedded in the textile perform both structural and electrical sensing roles, making the system more versatile and less complex than dedicated sensor systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If conventional sensor dispositions are used, then movement detection is achieved, but measurement precision of electrical conductivity variations is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductivity measurement precisionVSAvoiddetection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses conducting textile yarns with metallic particles distributed throughout the textile structure, creating localized sensing zones where conductivity changes occur in response to specific mechanical deformations. This local quality enhancement allows precise measurement of conductivity variations at specific locations within the textile, improving both measurement precision and detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects movement by measuring changes in electrical conductivity parameters of the conducting textile yarns. When the textile deforms under load or during movement, the conductivity of the conducting yarns changes in a measurable way, providing precise detection of position and movement states through electrical parameter monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conducting textile yarns with metallic particles are used, then integration with textile support is improved, but manufacturing complexity may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetextile integration easeVSAvoidconducting textile structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite textile material by incorporating conducting yarns with metallic particles into the textile support structure. This composite approach allows the conducting elements to be integrated during the textile manufacturing process itself, such as during weaving or knitting, rather than requiring post-manufacturing assembly. This reduces overall manufacturing complexity while achieving seamless integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Provides a simpler, more reliable monitoring system with improved detection of individual presence and movement by measuring electrical conductivity changes, offering a seamless integration with textile supports.

Implementation Method 1

said conducting textile yarns comprise a textile support and a plurality of electricity conducting particles provided so that a variation of electrical conductibility occurs when the yarn is submitted to a stretching along respective elongated extension

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoresistive effect: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3639731B1System for recognizing movement
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 FLEXITEX FAB DE TECIDOS SA
  • EP3639731B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3639731B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3639731B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a system for monitoring individuals in surfaces for supporting individuals, such as for example beds, whereby said system comprises at least one monitoring unit (1) that comprises a textile material support (2) that provides a surface for supporting individuals, a conducting textile disposition (3) associated with said textile material support (2), a control device (7) provided in energy conducting connection with said conducting textile disposition (3) and an energy source (8), whereby said system is characterized in that said conducting textile disposition (3) comprises at least one, preferentially a plurality of conducting textiles (31) developing along an elongated extension, and comprising a plurality of conducting particles along the elongated extension of said conducting textiles. The present invention further relates to a process of operation of a monitoring system of the type of the present invention.