Sensor-Enabled Fabric Label With Impedance Adapter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor-enabled fabrics require frequent maintenance and are not washable, making them unsuitable for garments that come into contact with liquids, such as bathing suits, due to the need for conductive paste application and potential staining and signal interference during washing.
Innovation Solution
A sensor-enabled label made of filament-based fabric with integrated electrically conductive fibers and transducers that can detect vital parameters without the need for additional conductive paste, allowing for multiple uses and washing cycles without maintenance, and is suitable for use in garments during water sports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conductive paste is used to improve electric signal detection performance, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the conductive paste function directly into the fabric structure by incorporating conductive fibers during fabric manufacturing. This merging eliminates the need for separate conductive paste application while maintaining electric signal detection performance, thereby reducing maintenance requirements and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by integrating conductive fibers into the fabric matrix during the fabric formation process. This creates a unified material structure where the conductive properties are inherent to the fabric itself, eliminating the need for additional conductive paste layers and reducing overall device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If conductive paste is applied to the sensor-enabled fabric, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to frequent maintenance and staining risks
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive functionality is merged into the fabric structure itself through integrated conductive fibers, eliminating the need for separate conductive paste application. This integration ensures that the fabric maintains its conductive properties without requiring frequent maintenance or risking staining from paste application.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric with integrated conductive fibers is self-sufficient and does not require external conductive paste to function. The conductive properties are inherent to the fabric structure, allowing it to maintain electric signal detection performance without user intervention or maintenance.
3Measurement precision
If conductive paste is used in the sensor-enabled fabric, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to incompatibility with liquid immersion garments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by weaving conductive fibers into the fabric structure during manufacturing. This integrated approach creates a fabric that is inherently resistant to liquid damage and maintains its conductive properties even when immersed in water, making it suitable for bathing suits and other liquid-contact garments.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric with integrated conductive fibers acts as a flexible, liquid-resistant barrier that maintains its electrical properties in wet environments. The fabric structure itself provides the protective function, eliminating the need for separate conductive paste layers that would be damaged by liquid immersion.
4Measurement precision
If conductive paste is applied to the sensor-enabled fabric, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance increases due to potential staining and signal interference during washing
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive functionality is merged into the fabric structure through integrated conductive fibers, eliminating the need for separate conductive paste that could stain or interfere with washing. The fabric maintains its conductive properties without requiring additional substances that could be damaged by washing processes.
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 enables reliable and maintenance-free detection of vital parameters in garments and toys, ensuring consistent performance even during water activities and multiple washing cycles without affecting signal detection.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive fabric layer (3) integrated in the fabric (2)... the at least one electric connector (4) being in signal communication with the conductive fabric layer (3) through an electrical connection (6)
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3A~4B
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention concerns a sensor-enabled fabric label (1) for detecting and transmitting electric signals or vital parameters of a user, comprising a filament-based fabric (2), a layer of conductive fabric (3) integrated in said filament-based fabric (2), defining a plurality of electric signal transducers (3B), at least one electric connector (4) for connection to a processing device (5) said at least one electric connector (4) being in signal communication with said layer of conductive fabric (3). The sensor-enabled label is characterized in that it comprises an impedance adapter (7) designed to match the impedance value between the plurality of transducers (3B) and the user's skin, when the sensor-enabled label (1) is contacted by the user's skin.