Interactive Electronic Textiles for Motion Assistance and Blood Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable technologies lack integrated platforms that support intended motion and regulate blood circulation, and there is a need for self-sustaining, interactive electronic textiles with embedded sensors, power storage, and actuators.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a textile substrate with integrated actuators, sensors, and a battery connected by conductive yarns, which can change shape in response to sensor data to assist motion and regulate blood circulation, powered by a self-sustaining energy source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic components are integrated into textiles to create functional wearables, then new applications such as motion assistance and blood circulation regulation emerge, but the device complexity and power requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates sensors, actuators, power storage (battery), and conductive elements directly into the textile substrate, creating a unified wearable system. This merging of components into a single integrated platform enables multiple functions (motion sensing, actuation, power management) while reducing the complexity of assembling separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic textile platform is designed to perform multiple functions including sensing user motion, regulating blood circulation through actuators, and providing power storage. This multi-functional approach allows a single wearable device to address various health and mobility needs simultaneously.
2Reliability
If multiple electronic components (sensors, actuators, battery) are integrated into the textile, then self-sustaining functionality is achieved, but the weight and flexibility of the textile are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible batteries and thin-film electronic components that can be integrated into the textile substrate. These flexible components maintain the textile's wearability and movement capability while providing the necessary power storage and electronic functionality for self-sustaining operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The textile integrates composite structures combining traditional textile fibers with conductive yarns, flexible battery materials, and sensor/actuator elements. This composite approach enables the textile to simultaneously provide mechanical flexibility, electrical conductivity, and power storage capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If conductive yarns are used to electrically couple components, then the textile maintains flexibility and stretchability, but the electrical connection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes conductive yarns with optimized electrical properties and connection geometries that maintain reliable electrical coupling even when the textile is stretched or bent. The conductive pathways are designed to accommodate textile deformation while preserving electrical connectivity between battery, sensors, and actuators.
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
The system provides real-time monitoring and assistance in motion and blood circulation, with integrated intelligence for health and safety, using minimal power and exhibiting flexibility, stretchability, and rapid response.
Implementation Method 1
a battery coupled to the textile substrate, the battery electrically coupled to a conductive yarn
Implementation Method 2
the conductive yarn further electrically coupled to the actuator and the sensor
Implementation Method 3
an actuator coupled to the textile substrate... transmitting a signal to the actuator to cause the actuator to change shape
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to electronic textiles and more specifically to self-sustaining, interactive electronic textiles, to systems incorporating such electronic textiles, and to uses thereof. In an embodiment, a system to assist with an intended motion of a user is provided. The system includes one or more processors, and an electronic textile. The electronic textile includes a textile substrate, an actuator coupled to the textile substrate, a sensor coupled to the textile substrate, and a battery coupled to the textile substrate, the battery electrically coupled to a conductive yarn, the conductive yarn further electrically coupled to the actuator and the sensor. Embodiments also include a system to assist with blood circulation of a user and a method of assisting blood circulation of a user.