Fabric Capacitive Sensing Layout for Wearable Touch Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrating capacitive sensing functions into wearable devices within fabric products poses a significant challenge, as existing technologies struggle to effectively incorporate touch sensing electrodes and control circuits into flexible, wearable forms.

Innovation Solution

The integration of capacitive sensing electrodes and control circuits directly into fabric using conductive yarns and dielectric layers, allowing for capacitive sensing patterns and control signals to be generated through user interactions, enabling intuitive input and control of connected devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If capacitive sensing electrodes and control circuits are integrated into fabric, then capacitive sensing function is achieved, but fabrication complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacitive sensing functionVSAvoidfabrication complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges capacitive sensing electrodes, control circuits, and fabric structure into a single integrated system. The control circuit is directly integrated into the fabric substrate, eliminating the need for separate rigid circuit boards and reducing overall device complexity despite adding sensing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite fabric structures combining conductive materials (for electrodes), dielectric materials (for insulation), and flexible circuit materials. This composite approach enables capacitive sensing functionality while maintaining fabric flexibility and simplifying the overall device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If capacitive sensing electrodes are integrated into fabric, then touch sensing capability is achieved, but manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensing capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the fabric into functional layers: conductive electrode regions, dielectric insulation layers, and flexible substrate regions. This segmentation allows each layer to be manufactured separately using appropriate techniques and then assembled, reducing overall manufacturing difficulty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fabric structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, electrical insulation, and capacitive sensing functionality. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate manufacturing steps needed compared to traditional rigid touch sensor assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If control circuits are integrated into fabric, then device control capability is achieved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice control capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit is merged with the fabric substrate, creating a flexible integrated circuit structure. This eliminates the need for separate rigid circuit boards, connectors, and mounting structures, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining full device control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses flexible thin-film circuit structures integrated into the fabric, replacing traditional rigid circuit boards. This flexible approach reduces structural complexity by conforming to the fabric's natural flexibility and eliminating the need for rigid mounting structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

This approach enables seamless capacitive sensing within fabric wearables, allowing for intuitive user input and control of devices, such as LED lights or MP3 players, while maintaining fabric flexibility and safety, and can also detect gestures, presses, and environmental changes like temperature or humidity.

Implementation Method 1

a control circuit coupled to the capacitive sensing portion, and issuing a control signal according to a capacitance change caused by a distance or electric field change between the first and second fabric sensing electrode layers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a control circuit coupled to the fabric and being in communication with the first set of signal lines for controlling the controlled device according to a capacitance change caused by a touch or gesture of a user on the fabric

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10551872B2Wearable device exhibiting capacitive sensing function

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 DECENTRALIZED MOTION INTELLIGENCE CO

AI summary

A wearable device exhibiting a capacitive sensing function includes a fabric having a plurality of touch-sensing electrode patterns and a plurality of signal lines distributed therein; a controlled device integrated into the fabric; and a control circuit disposed at an edge of the fabric and being in communication with the signal lines for controlling the controlled device according to a capacitance change according to a capacitance change caused by a touch or gesture of a user on the fabric.