Smart Fabric Sensor Nodes for Real-Time Damage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for detecting tears, torsion, or strain in fabrics, such as visual inspection or tactile observation, are inefficient and not feasible for real-time notification, especially in scenarios like assaults where immediate action is required.
Innovation Solution
Integration of IoT sensors into fabrics to detect conditions like tears, torsion, or strain, with a control unit and transmitter to analyze data and generate notifications in real-time, such as alerts to law enforcement or family members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If visual inspection or tactile observation is used to detect fabric damage, then the detection method is simple and does not require complex equipment, but the response time is delayed and real-time notification cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and tactile observation (mechanical systems) with electronic sensors, processors, and transmitters. Sensor nodes detect fabric conditions electronically, the processor analyzes data automatically, and the transmitter sends notifications wirelessly, eliminating the need for human inspection and achieving real-time detection and notification.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric integrated with sensor nodes, processors, and transmitters performs self-detection and self-notification. When fabric damage occurs, the embedded system automatically detects the condition, processes the data, and sends notifications without requiring external human intervention, enabling the fabric to monitor and report its own state in real-time.
2Productivity
If manual inspection by employees is performed to detect fabric damage, then no additional detection equipment is needed, but the notification process is manual and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual inspection and notification process with an automated electronic system. Sensor nodes continuously monitor fabric conditions, the processor automatically analyzes data to detect damage, and the transmitter instantly sends notifications to authorities or guardians, eliminating manual intervention and significantly improving notification efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a continuous feedback loop where sensor nodes monitor fabric conditions, the processor analyzes the data in real-time, and when damage is detected, notifications are automatically sent. This closed-loop feedback system ensures immediate detection and response, replacing the slow manual inspection and notification process.
3Reliability
If conventional detection methods are used, then the system is simple and does not require integrated sensors or processors, but real-time monitoring and automated notification cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds sensor nodes, processors, and transmitters within the fabric structure itself. The sensor nodes are integrated into the fabric layers, the processor is incorporated into the fabric's electronic system, and the transmitter is embedded within the fabric assembly, creating a nested, multi-functional integrated system that achieves reliable real-time detection while maintaining fabric functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various technologies described herein pertain to smart fabric that includes a sensor array, which includes sensor nodes arranged at respective sites in the fabric. The sensor nodes are configured to output signals indicative of detected conditions at the respective sites in the fabric. The fabric can further include a transmitter and a control unit. The control unit can be configured to receive the signals indicative of the detected conditions at the respective sites in the fabric from the sensor nodes, and transmit, using the transmitter, data specifying the detected conditions at the respective sites in the fabric. The data can be transmitted to a computing system for analyzing a state of the fabric to detect an occurrence of an event. The event can be a tear of the fabric, a torsion in the fabric greater than a threshold torsion, a strain in the fabric greater than a threshold strain.