Garment Sensing Device Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensing devices for garment closures, such as zips, face challenges in reliably detecting correct closure due to alignment and proximity issues between magnetic sensors and magnets, especially in garments with loose fits or incorrect sizing, leading to false signals and manufacturing tolerances difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A sensing device with alignment components that autonomously and automatically position a triggering element and a sensing component when the garment flaps are closed, using magnetic fields to ensure precise alignment and signal emission, eliminating the need for user intervention and accommodating various garment types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a reed switch sensor and magnet are used to detect zip closure, then wiring complexity is reduced, but the sensor and magnet must be positioned within 3-5mm of each other which is difficult to achieve with manual stitching tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible printed circuit board (FPC) is introduced as an intermediary carrier that pre-positions the reed switch sensor and provides structured wiring. The FPC allows the sensor to be mounted at a specific location while accommodating garment movement through flexibility, thereby maintaining the required 3-5mm proximity to the magnet without requiring precise manual stitching of both sensor and wiring.
Solution Approach 2:
The reed switch sensor is pre-mounted and pre-wired onto the FPC before attachment to the garment. This preliminary positioning ensures that the sensor is already at the correct distance and orientation relative to where the magnet will be placed, eliminating the need for precise post-attachment adjustments and compensating for manufacturing tolerances.
2Shape
If the magnet is placed on a flap that is less than 20mm in size, then x and y alignment is maintained, but tight tolerances are required during manufacture to ensure the sensor and magnet are within 3mm of each other
Solution Approach 1:
The FPC acts as a mediator that carries the reed switch sensor to the precise location needed on the flap. Even when the flap is small (less than 20mm), the FPC's flexibility allows the sensor to be positioned exactly 3-5mm from the magnet while accommodating the limited space, thereby maintaining x and y alignment without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.
3Reliability
If the garment is loose fitting or incorrect size, then the distance between the flap and magnet can exceed the detection distance, but adding fastening means like Velcro increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The FPC is designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to adapt to garment deformation when the garment is worn. This dynamic flexibility enables the sensor mounted on the FPC to maintain proximity to the magnet even when the garment is loose fitting or incorrect size, preserving signal reliability without requiring additional fastening mechanisms.
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 solution provides a reliable 'zip closed' signal regardless of garment fit or alignment errors, ensuring proper functioning of safety systems without additional fastening mechanisms, and is easy to manufacture and integrate with different closure types.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing component (33) put in a predetermined mutual position with respect to an activating component (23) of a triggering element (20)... a sensing device adapted to be positioned at the opening of a garment and suitable for emitting an electrical output signal when the opening is correctly closed
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a sensing device (10) designed for being applied on a first flap (11) and on a second flap (12) of an opening (13) arranged in a wearable item (14). The sensing device (10) comprises: - a triggering element (20) arranged on the first flap (11) of the opening (13) and comprising an activating component (23); - a switch element (30) arranged on the second flap (12) of the opening (13) and comprising a sensing component (33); the sensing component (33) being designed for emitting an electrical output signal when it is put in a predetermined mutual position with respect to the activating component (23). According to the invention the triggering element (20) is provided with at least one alignment component (22; 22A, 22B) designed for interacting with a corresponding alignment component (32; 32A, 32B) of the switch element (30) so as to autonomously and automatically put in said predetermined mutual position the activating component (23) and the sensing component (33) when the first flap (11) is drawn close to the second flap (12), or viceversa. The invention also relates to a closure device comprising said sensing device (10) and to a method for manufacturing said sensing device (10).