Insulated Conductive Fibre in Smart Textile Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conductive fibers in smart textiles face challenges with electrical insulation, thermal protection, and mechanical strain, particularly when exposed to moisture and external conductive objects, which affects the accuracy of fiber-based temperature sensors and increases manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for integrating conductive fibers into a base fabric layer using nonconductive wall fibers to form cavities that electrically insulate the conductive fibers, maintaining structural integrity while allowing for stretch and preventing moisture penetration, using interlacing techniques like knitting or weaving to create a robust and flexible insulated conductor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plastic insulation is applied to the exterior surface of conductive wires, then electrical insulation is improved, but flexibility and appearance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a knitted insulating structure formed by interlacing insulating fibres that creates a flexible shell around the conductive fibre. This knitted shell provides electrical insulation while maintaining flexibility through its interlaced construction, allowing the smart textile to conform to body movements without the rigidity of plastic coating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines conductive fibres with insulating fibres in a composite knitted structure. The conductive fibre provides electrical conductivity for sensing, while the surrounding insulating fibres form a protective matrix that maintains both electrical insulation and mechanical flexibility, creating a multi-functional composite material.
2Ease of manufacture
If conductive fibres are interlaced directly into the textile body, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but protection from moisture and external contact deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the conductive fibre is positioned within a cavity formed by the knitted insulating fibres. This nested configuration allows the conductive fibre to be protected from moisture and external contact while being integrated into the textile body during the knitting process, maintaining both manufacturing efficiency and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The knitted insulating fibres form a flexible protective shell around the conductive fibre, creating a barrier against moisture penetration and external contact. This shell is integrated into the textile structure through the knitting process, providing protection without requiring separate manufacturing steps.
3Reliability
If the conductive fibre is enclosed in a wall structure, then electrical insulation is improved, but structural integrity may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite knitted structure where insulating fibres form protective walls around the conductive fibre while base fibres provide structural support. This composite construction distributes mechanical loads across the entire textile structure, maintaining structural integrity while the insulating fibre walls provide electrical insulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The knitted insulating fibres serve multiple functions: they form the protective wall structure for electrical insulation, provide mechanical strength through their interlaced construction, and integrate with the base fabric to maintain overall structural integrity. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate structural support elements.
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 effectively shields conductive fibers from environmental influences, maintains sensor accuracy, and reduces manufacturing costs by integrating insulation and structural integrity into the fabric layer, ensuring reliable temperature measurement and durability.
Implementation Method 1
the first set of wall fibres of the first wall structure encloses the at least one conductive first fibre in order to electrically insulate the at least one conductive first fibre from an environment along the length external to the first cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A system of fibre based temperature sensor integrated into abase fabric layer for a garment, the system comprising: a set of wall fibres interlaced with one another to form a first wall structure defining a first cavity along a length and a second wall structure defining a second cavity along the length, the set of wall fibres comprising nonconductive material; at least one conductive fibre miming along the length within each cavity, such that the set of wall fibres of the wall structures encloses each at least one conductive fibre in order to electrically insulate each at least one conductive fibre from an environment along the length external to the cavities; and a set of base fibres interlaced with one another to form the base fabric layer.